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Two-Year Outcomes From a Cessation of Smoking Intervention in Older Adults
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 21 February 2012
Abstract
This study evaluated a cessation of smoking program for older (≥ 65 years) smokers. We recruited 215 community-dwelling smokers who selected either an intervention (n = 165) (brief intervention, telephone support, access to nicotine replacement therapy [NRT]) or ongoing smoking (continuing smokers) (n = 50). Primary outcomes at 12 and 24 months were (a) total abstinence and (b) cessation for the previous 30+ days, all validated via expired carbon monoxide (ECO). We interviewed 183 (85%) participants at 12 months and 165 (77%) at 24 months. Total abstinence was reported by 29 (18%) and 21 (13%) of the intervention group and none of the continuing smokers at 12 and 24 months. At 12 months, a greater prevalence of 30+ day cessation was observed for the intervention (24.2%) than the continuing smokers (4.0%): by 24 months this difference was 23.6% versus 12.0%. Those totally abstinent for 24 months predominantly used NRT (81%). Of the 30+ day quitters at 24 months, 74% of the intervention group used NRT and 100% of the continuing smokers used ‘cold turkey’. Cessation programs can be successfully delivered to older smokers, with outcomes comparable to the general population. NRT is commonly used by successful quitters, but ‘cold turkey’ can also be successful.
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