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Individual behavioural counselling for smoking cessation
1Department of Primary Health Care, Oxford University, Old Road Campus, Headington, Oxford, UK, OX3 7LF. tim.lancaster@dphpc.ox.ac.uk
The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
|April 23, 2005
Summary
Individual counseling significantly increases successful smoking cessation rates. This evidence-based intervention provides a valuable tool for smokers aiming to quit tobacco use.
Area of Science:
- Behavioral Science
- Public Health
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Individual counseling by smoking cessation specialists can aid successful attempts to stop smoking.
- Smoking remains a significant public health concern globally.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the effectiveness of individual counseling interventions for smoking cessation.
- To synthesize evidence from randomized controlled trials on smoking cessation counseling.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of randomized and quasi-randomized trials identified through the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group Specialized Register.
- Searched for studies with 'counsel*' in any field up to December 2004.
- Included trials with face-to-face individual counseling by healthcare workers, with smoking cessation at least six months post-intervention as the outcome.
Main Results:
- Twenty-one trials involving over 7000 participants were analyzed.
- Individual counseling demonstrated a statistically significant increase in successful smoking cessation (odds ratio 1.56, 95% CI 1.32 to 1.84).
- No significant difference in effectiveness was found between intensive and brief counseling, nor when combined with nicotine replacement therapy.
Conclusions:
- Individual smoking cessation counseling is an effective method to help smokers quit.
- Further research may explore optimal counseling strategies and adjunct therapies.