EFFECTIVENESS OF A POST-DISCHARGE PHONE-BASED SMOKING CESSATION INTERVENTION FOR PATIENTS WITH SEVERE MENTAL HEALTH
Cristina Martínez1,2,3,4,5, Ariadna Feliu1,2,5, Judith Saura1,2,6
1Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, Institut Català d'Oncologia-ICO, Av. Gran Via de L'Hospitalet 199-203, 08908 L'Hospitalet de Llobregat (Barcelona), Spain.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
|September 12, 2025
Summary
A telephone-based smoking cessation intervention showed promise for individuals with mental health disorders. While overall abstinence rates did not differ, motivated participants in the intervention group achieved better results.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Clinical Psychology
- Addiction Medicine
Background:
- Smoking rates are disproportionately high among individuals with mental health disorders.
- Effective smoking cessation interventions are crucial for this vulnerable population, particularly post-discharge.
- Previous interventions have shown mixed results in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of a telephone-based smoking cessation intervention for individuals with mental health disorders after hospital discharge.
- To compare proactive motivational support against brief advice in a randomized controlled trial setting.
Main Methods:
- A pragmatic, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was conducted in Barcelona.
- Participants were allocated to an Intervention Group (IG) receiving motivational assistance or a Control Group (CG) receiving brief advice (2:1 ratio).
- The primary outcome was biochemically validated 7-day point abstinence at one-year follow-up.
Main Results:
- 294 participants were enrolled (200 IG, 94 CG) out of 530 screened.
- Overall abstinence probability ranged from 30-35% at one year, with no statistically significant difference between groups.
- Intervention participants were more likely to achieve abstinence if they had quit during hospitalization or were considering quitting.
Conclusions:
- The telephone-based intervention effectively supported smoking abstinence in motivated individuals with mental health disorders.
- While not improving overall abstinence rates, the intervention shows potential for specific subgroups.
- Integrating this intervention with clinical and community support may enhance smoking cessation success in this population.
