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. 2020 Feb;27(1):14-18.
doi: 10.3747/co.27.5267. Epub 2020 Feb 1.

Does free nicotine replacement improve smoking cessation rates in cancer patients?

A J Arifin  1 , L C McCracken  1 , S Nesbitt  1 , A Warner  1 , R E Dinniwell  1 , D A Palma  1 , A V Louie  2
Affiliations

Does free nicotine replacement improve smoking cessation rates in cancer patients?

A J Arifin et al. Curr Oncol. 2020 Feb.

Abstract

Background: Cigarette smoking is carcinogenic and has been linked to inferior treatment outcomes and complication rates in cancer patients. Here, we report the results of an 18-month pilot smoking cessation program that provided free nicotine replacement therapy (nrt).

Methods: In January 2017, the smoking cessation program at our institution began offering free nrt for actively cigarette-smoking patients with cancer. The cost of 4 weeks of nrt was covered by the program, and follow-up was provided by smoking cessation champions.

Results: From January 2017 to June 2018, 8095 patients with cancer were screened for cigarette use, of whom 1135 self-identified as current or recent smokers. Of those 1135 patients, 117 enrolled in the program and accepted a prescription for nrt. The rates of patient referral and patients attending a referral appointment were significantly higher in 2018-2018 than they had been in 2015-2016 (100% vs. 80.3%, p < 0.001, and 27.6% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001, respectively). Median follow-up was 9.0 months (25%-75% interquartile range: 5.7-11.6 months). Of the patients who accepted nrt and who also had complete data (n = 71), 25 (35.2%) reported complete smoking cessation, and 32 (45.1%) reported only decreased cigarette smoking. On univariable analysis, no factors were significantly predictive of smoking cessation, although initial cigarette use (>10 vs. ≤10 initial cigarettes) was significantly predictive of smoking reduction (odds ratio: 5.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.46 to 17.45; p = 0.011).

Conclusions: This pilot study of free nrt demonstrated rates of referral and acceptance of nrt that were improved compared with historical rates, and most referred patients either decreased their use of cigarettes or quit entirely.

Keywords: Nicotine replacement therapy; smoking cessation.

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Conflict of interest statement

CONFLICT OF INTEREST DISCLOSURES We have read and understood Current Oncology’s policy on disclosing conflicts of interest, and we declare the following interests: AVL has received honoraria from Varian Medical Systems Inc. and AstraZeneca. All other authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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