Findings Series 20 - Models of smoking treatment

This briefing paper outlines the findings from a study, commissioned by the Glasgow Centre for Population Health which examined the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the two main types of support for smokers who want to quit in Glasgow.

The study had four main aims:

• To assess the short (4 week) and longer term (52 week) outcomes associated with each model of service.
• To explore what factors (client and/or service characteristics) influence outcomes.
• To examine the relationship between costs and outcomes for the two models of service.
• To assess how effective the services are in reaching and treating clients from disadvantaged parts of the city. 

Key findings of this paper include:

• Cotinine validated four week quit rates were 35.5% for group clients and 18.6% for pharmacy clients. 
• Both models of service in Glasgow were reaching and treating smokers from disadvantaged areas in significant numbers.
• Only 3.6% were cotinine validated as non-smokers at 52 week follow up. 
• Clients who were treated in groups were still more likely to have remained abstinent at 52 weeks than those who accessed the pharmacy service. 
• Older smokers, more affluent smokers and those who were extremely determined to quit were all less likely to relapse.
• Both the pharmacy and group support services are cost-effective and co-exist to provide a comprehensive smoking cessation service across Glasgow.