Implementation of a personalized workplace smoking cessation programme

Abstract

Background: Providing smoking cessation programmes through workplaces is an effective method of assisting employees to quit smoking; however, few employers provide such services, and achieving long-term success remains challenging.

Aims: To evaluate the effectiveness of a workplace-based tailored smoking cessation programme that combined telephone-based counselling with group behaviour therapy sessions in helping employees to quit.

Methods: A smoking cessation programme was offered to employees of a large corporation that is respons ible for the passenger rail network in New South Wales (NSW), Australia. Two hundred and thirty participants enrolled in the programme, which offered telephone-based coaching and group sessions designed around cognitive behavioural therapy principles. One hundred and eight participants (47%) completed the 6 month follow-up assessment.

Results: Of the estimated 2850 smokers in the organization, 8% (230) registered for the smoking cessation programme, with 77% (176) participating in telephone-based coaching and/or group sessions. Intention-to-treat analysis indicated 22% of participants achieved 7 day point prevalence abstinence and 10% achieved 3 month prolonged abstinence at the 6 month follow-up. Over 75% of those still smoking at follow-up reported intentions to quit in the next 6 months. Psychological distress was also significantly lower at 6 month follow-up. Participants reported high levels of satisfaction with the programme.

Conclusions: The smoking cessation programme successfully assisted employees to quit smoking. Unique aspects of the programme such as continuity of care were valued by participants and may have contributed to the programme's success.

Keywords: Cognitive behavioural therapy; group therapy; smoking cessation; telephone-based intervention; workplace intervention..