Background: The prevalence of tobacco smoking is high among patients living with HIV, supporting the need for effective targeted interventions. Materials and Methods: All current smokers at our outpatient HIV clinic were invited to participate in a smoking cessation program. Results: Of the 716 patients living with HIV, 280 (39%) reported active smoking and were younger, more recently HIV infected and more frequently infected due to intravenous drug use (IDU). One hundred forty-seven (53%) smokers agreed to participate in the smoking cessation program and had a higher Fagerström score and were less likely IDU. During follow-up, 41 (28%) smokers withdrew from the program. After 6 months, 60 (57%) of the 106 smokers who completed the intervention had stopped tobacco smoking and were more likely to use varenicline, adjusting for a history of depression. Conclusion: Our smoking cessation program was feasible. However, strategies to reach and retain in smoking cessation program specific groups such as IDU are needed to improve the smoking cessation cascade.
One year follow-up of the Chicago televised smoking cessation program.