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Individual behavioural counselling for smoking cessation
1ICRF General Practice Research Group, Division of Public Health and Primary Health Care, Institute of Health Sciences, Old Road, Headington, Oxford, UK, OX3 7LF. tim.lancaster@dphpc.ox.ac.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|July 26, 2002
Summary
Individual counselling significantly increases successful smoking cessation rates. This form of support helps smokers quit, with an odds ratio of 1.62 for success.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Individual counseling by smoking cessation specialists may improve successful smoking cessation attempts.
- Understanding the efficacy of tailored interventions is crucial for public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effects of individual counseling on smoking cessation.
- To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials on counseling interventions.
Main Methods:
- Searched the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group trials register for relevant studies.
- Included randomized or quasi-randomized trials with face-to-face individual counseling by healthcare workers.
- Outcome measured was smoking cessation at a minimum of six months follow-up.
Main Results:
- Eighteen trials were identified, with fifteen comparing individual counseling to minimal intervention.
- Individual counseling demonstrated a statistically significant effect on smoking cessation (OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.35-1.94).
- No significant difference was found between intensive and brief counseling approaches (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.61-1.56).
Conclusions:
- Smoking cessation counseling is an effective method to assist smokers in quitting.
- Evidence supports the integration of individual counseling into smoking cessation programs.