[Smoking cessation programmes at hospitals with departments for lung diseases]

Tobacco smoking is the main preventable risk factor resulting in multiple diseases and premature death. In particular, the airways and the lungs are affected by the effects of smoking. Hospitals have considerable potential to advance smoking cessation. However, so far there have only been a few data on availability and effectiveness of smoking cessation programs in hospitals. This study aimed to assess such programs in general hospitals with a special department for lung disease in South West Germany.

40 hospitals with at least one pulmonary specialist were identified. This doctor was subsequently interviewed by a telephone call. 39 hospitals participated, one could not be reached by telephone.

Although most of the interviewed specialists confirmed the importance of smoking cessation in the field of pneumology only 3 hospitals had own activities for promoting smoking cessation. Another 7 hospitals cooperated with other institutions. Accompanying pharmacotherapy was not practised regularly. The main reasons for a lack of smoking cessation activities in the hospitals were due to the lack of personnel, time and money.

Our study highlights the tremendous difficulties facing general hospitals when trying to implement a smoking cessation program. Changes in the economic frameworks, and further examination of appropriate measures for brief interventions in the hospital setting are necessary.