[Results of a psychotherapeutic program for smoking after 12 months of follow-up]

To compare the efficacy of psychological counseling for smokers in a cessation program in comparison with treatment based only on providing information about damage caused by tobacco and advice for quitting, and to determine the reasons patients started to smoke.

We studied 249 patients who came to a preliminary interview; 226 began treatment for smoking cessation. The average level of dependence, quantified the Fagerstrom test was 7.26 +/- 1.85 points. Two treatment groups were formed: the first patients seen made up the control group (n = 37), which received information about the dangers of tobacco and strategies for quitting, and the psychological counseling group (n = 189). Follow-up examinations were performed three, six and twelve months after treatment, with abstinence checked by measurement of CO in exhaled air. Only patients with CO levels less than 5 ppm (particles per million) in exhaled air were considered non-smokers.

Most patients of both sexes named social pressure as the reason for starting to smoke. The rate of abstinence in the information and strategies group was 8.1% at all three follow-up visits, whereas the rate was 37%, 25.4% and 24.3% at three, six and twelve months, respectively, in the group receiving counseling. The differences between the two groups were significant at all visits.

Social pressure is the main reason for starting to smoke. We observed a success rate of 24.3% after one year of follow-up after psychological treatment only, a rate that was significantly higher than that of the group that received only information. We believe that psychological counseling is an effective alternative for smokers who want to quit.