Effect of Funding Medications for Nicotine Dependence on Tobacco Control: A Narrative Review

Pharmacological treatments for smoking associated with psychological counseling triple the chances of quitting. However, the accessibility of these drugs is limited by their financial cost. With this review we aim to demonstrate the effect of partial or full funding in terms of efficacy, effectiveness, cost-effectiveness and quality of life. We conducted a literature search for articles related to the issues mentioned above: analysis of the efficacy, effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of pharmacological treatments for nicotine dependence and the effect of their funding. It is shown that the funding of pharmacological treatment can increase the efficacy and effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions. Such funding increases motivation to make a quit attempt. In addition, these strategies can increase self-efficacy, generate social influence and change attitudes toward quitting. Although the funding of pharmacological treatment benefits all smokers, there are certain populations of smokers who are more sensitive to funding strategies such as social groups with lower incomes and lower educational attainment. These funding strategies for smoking cessation interventions have been shown to improve the health and quality of life of the population, as well as the economy, while reducing tobacco use.