Misperceptions About Smoking Cessation Aids May Hinder Smokers From Using Effective Treatment For Quitting
03/05/08
Leading researchers
in the field of smoking cessation are gathering at the annual meeting of
the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco (SRNT) to present the
latest research on smoking cessation, including a new study revealing
smokers' misperceptions about cessation treatments.
The study's findings indicate smokers dramatically underestimate the
safety and efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products for
quitting smoking, which may lead to less use of proven smoking cessation
therapy that has been proven to double a smoker's chances of quitting.(1,2)
Presentation findings were based on a study of 900 men and women adult
smokers in the U.S.(1)
Seventy-six percent of smokers wrongly believe or do not know whether
NRT is more addictive than cigarettes.(1) Additionally, 68 percent of
smokers wrongly answered or do not know that NRT products are as dangerous
as cigarettes.(1) Less than three percent of respondents answered all
questions about treatment correctly, demonstrating the enormous need for
further education.(1,3)
The good news is that even if smokers held these misperceptions, about
half of them stated they would be more likely to consider NRT if they were
shown scientific evidence that proves its safety.(1)
"Cessation treatments like nicotine replacement therapy have been
proven to greatly increase the chances of successfully quitting," said Dr.
Donna Vallone, Senior Vice President, Research and Evaluation American
Legacy Foundation. "The research findings only reinforce the point that
treatments for cessation are underutilized thereby jeopardizing successful
attempts at quitting. More needs to be done to educate smokers."
The majority of smokers try to quit "cold turkey," yet only 3-5 percent
of smokers who quit cold turkey are successful long-term.(4) Tools for
cessation such as NRT products are among the first-line treatments
recommended for all smokers and when used as directed, can significantly
increase a smoker's chances of quitting versus cold turkey and remaining
smoke-free long-term (6 months and longer).(2,4) Over 100 clinical trials
involving over 35,000 participants and extensive consumer use over more
than 20 years have proven the safety and efficacy of NRT when used as
directed.(5)
About the Study
A survey of 900 men and women adult smokers in the U.S. was fielded in
July 2007 by Richard Day Research through an online panel, screening for
adults age 18 and over who smoke cigarettes every day. The survey was
fielded to determine what smokers currently understand about their risks of
smoking, effects of nicotine and smoking cessation treatments. The data was
weighted to adjust for age, ethnicity and gender using estimates from the
2006 National Health Interview Survey. The "average" respondent in the
survey was 48 years of age and started smoking when they were 16 years old,
smokes 20 cigarettes per day and has tried to quit three times in the past
(16 percent of respondents have never tried to quit). The survey was
conducted on behalf of The American Legacy Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline
Consumer Healthcare the industry leader in smoking cessation.
About GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare
GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Consumer Healthcare is one of the world's largest
over-the-counter consumer healthcare products companies. GSK offers the
widest range of proven NRT products available, products which can
significantly improve a smoker's chance of quitting successfully and have
helped millions of people quit smoking. In addition, GSK offers several
resources and support services designed specifically to help smokers and
non-smokers understand and address the two components to smoking cessation:
nicotine addiction and habit change. Its more than 30 well-known brands
include the leading smoking cessation products, Nicorette(R), NicoDerm(R)
CQ and Commit(R) as well as many medicine cabinet staples, including
Abreva(R), alli(R) Aquafresh(R), Sensodyne(R), Tums(R) and Breathe
Right(R), trademarks owned and/or licensed to GlaxoSmithKline Group of
Companies.
About GlaxoSmithKline
GlaxoSmithKline is one of the world's leading research-based
pharmaceutical and consumer healthcare companies. GlaxoSmithKline is
committed to improving the quality of human life by enabling people to do
more, feel better and live longer.
References
(1) Survey of 900 adult smokers in the U.S. conducted by American Legacy
Foundation and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare in August 2007.
(2) Fiore MC, Bailey WC, Cohen SJ, et al. Treating Tobacco Use and
Dependence. Clinical Practice Guideline. Rockville, MD:
(3) Ferguson SG, et al. Smokers' Views on the Safety of Nicotine
Replacement Therapy -- An Opportunity for Education?, 2008 SRNT
Conference; Accepted Oral Presentation.
(4) Hughes et al., 1992. Smoking Cessation Among Self-Quitters. Health
Psychology, 11(5), 331-334
(5) Silagy et al. Nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation
(Cochrane Review). In: The Cochrane Library, Issue 1, 2004.
Chichester, UK: John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare