Current Research on Cigarette Smoking Among People with HIV

A large percentage of people with HIV are current cigarette smokers. Most smokers with HIV are interested in quitting; however, smoking cessation interventions are only moderately effective in this population. Also, most HIV care providers are not trained in tobacco dependence treatment and most smokers with HIV are not getting the smoking cessation support that they need. Although advances in HIV treatment have provided the opportunity for prolonged life, many HIV-positive individuals are not benefitting from these advances because they are suffering from the health consequences of tobacco dependence. Barriers to smoking cessation among smokers with HIV need more research, and new interventions that address the unique issues of smokers with HIV need to be developed and evaluated. HIV care providers need education on tobacco dependence treatment so that smokers with HIV have access to the education and support that they need to successfully quit smoking. © 2016, Springer International Publishing AG.