Tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy use among First Nations persons residing within British Columbia

The rate of tobacco use is higher among First Nations (FN) peoples than among other Canadians. Cessation pharmacotherapy agents reduce tobacco use, but the appropriateness and effectiveness of these agents among FN smokers are not entirely clear. Rates of tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy use among FN smokers are unknown; such information would be useful for program planners and would indicate appropriateness of use. To examine cessation pharmacotherapy use, we extracted claims for nicotine gum, nicotine patch, and bupropion SR (Zyban) from the Non-Insured Health Benefits pharmacy database for FN persons living within British Columbia during 2001. A total of 3.8% (95% CI=3.6-4.0) of FN claimants filled a prescription for at least one tobacco cessation pharmacotherapy agent; 61.7% were female, and their mean age was 38.1 years. Most claims (60.5%) were for bupropion, followed by nicotine patch (40.7%) and nicotine gum (4.7%). A total of 4.6% of claimants used both nicotine patch and bupropion,.8% used nicotine gum and nicotine patch, and.5% used nicotine gum and bupropion. Pharmacotherapy agents appear to be used less often by FN smokers than by other Canadian smokers for several possible reasons. Additional research is needed related to FN populations and cessation pharmacotherapy use in terms of cultural appropriateness, barriers to use, and effectiveness.