Factors associated with abstinence and efficacy of a smoking cessation program

Smoking is the first cause of evitable mortality and morbility in Occident. Objective: to assess the efficacy of a smoking cessation program and associated risk factors. Methods: the Program accounted for 517 people, 357 attended at least two sessions. Sex, age, marital status, education level, associated diseases, familial smoking environment, previous attempts of smoking cessation, smoking history and dependence assessment using the Fagerstrm scale were evaluated. An 8- week multicomponent program was conducted: a cognitive behavior based, a pharmacist based (bupropion or other nicotinic replacement) and group therapy managed. Abstinence was verified by exhaled carbon monoxide levels. Results: the population of the program, aged from 20 and 77 years (mean age 50,58 +/- 11,24), were 61,1% women, 82,9% had had previous attempts to stop smoking, smokers of 44,22 +/- 26,30 pack/ year, mean age of first smoking 17,93 +/- 3,65 years, smoking 28,38 +/- 13,45 cigarettes/ day, dependence by Fagerstrm was 5,99 +/- 2,12, 89,4% were under pharmacological treatment; 113 participants (31,6%) stopped smoking over a year. A smaller rate of smoking cessation is associated with women, higher dependence by Fagerstrm, and continued smoking in the initial weeks and at three months. Conclusions: the program reached smoking cessation rates of 31,6% a year, similar to published data of other centers, efficacy is related to sex, nicotine dependence and early cessation, at the begining of the program.