Awareness and use of smoking cessation treatments among diabetic patients

To investigate awareness of pharmacotherapeutic aids to smoking cessation in diabetic cigarette smokers.

A structured questionnaire-based interview was held by a research nurse individually with consecutively attending cigarette smokers.

Of 597 diabetic patients attending a routine clinic, 100 (17%) were current cigarette smokers. Mean (+/-sd) age was 58+/-11 years, 58% were male, and 96% Type 2 diabetic patients. Mean daily cigarette consumption was 16/day, for a mean duration of 35 years. There were 34% who had never heard of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and of those who had, only 49% considered it safe with diabetes. Bupropion (Zyban) was unknown to 46%, and of those who knew of it, 39% thought it unsafe in diabetic patients. Only 31% of the group had been previously offered NRT, and 14% bupropion. The NHS Quitline was known of by 84%, but only 8% had used it.

Cigarette smokers with diabetes have poor uptake, awareness and knowledge of NRT and bupropion as aids to smoking cessation. They comprise a high-risk group, for large and small vessel disease, and these findings are therefore of concern. More active education and support for these patients by medical and nursing staff is needed.