Stop smoking interventions ranked for evidence of effectiveness and effect size

Table 1:Stop When done

smoking interventions Evidence properly,
ranked for evidence of boosts quit
Component1 Summary Commissioning recommendation
of effectiveness and effectiven rates by
effect size ess
Rank
1. Face–to-face group Weekly group sessions facilitated by one or more A 300% This format has a very strong evidence base
support with specialist stop smoking practitioners with a and will produce high success rates. It may be
pharmacotherapy number of smoker sat a specified time and place, more applicable in an area or setting with a
lasting approx. 1 hour for between 6 and 12 fairly large pool of smokers (a minimum of
weeks. All smokers have access to their choice of eight members is recommended to start a
pharmacotherapy and smoking status is verified closed group).It is important that practitioners
by Carbon Monoxide (CO) monitoring at each receive specialist training and continued
session. supervision.
2. Face-to-face Weekly sessions for an individual smoker with a A 200-300% The majority of stop smoking interventions
individual support specialist stop smoking practitioner, at a specified currently take place through one-to-one
with pharmaco- time and place, sessions averaging approx. 30– sessions. It is important that practitioners
therapy 45minutesover a 6 –12 week period. All smokers receive specialist training and continued
have access to their choice of pharmacotherapy supervision.
and smoking status is verified by Carbon
Monoxide (CO) monitoring at each session.
3. Supported use of This option involves providing smokers with stop A3 50-100%
pharmacotherapy smoking medication(s) (varenicline, NRT, The easiest way to commission this is through
bupropion) of their choice and giving appropriate GP prescriptions, but pharmacies may also be
information and support to use it in a way that will an option. It is essential to make varenicline
maximise effectiveness. It just needs one and dual form NRT (eg transdermal patch plus
appointment to get started and one follow-up to a faster acting form) available as these offer
check progress. the best chances of success.
4. Telephone support A 50-100%

Multiple sessions of proactive telephone support The boost in quitting rates depends on
provided by a trained advisor for 6–12 week six. following optimal treatment protocols, with
Sessions average 15–30 minutes and work best proactive telephone calls made by the
with multiple sessions in the first month specialist advisor to the individual