Effects of interventions to combat tobacco addiction: Cochrane update of 2021 to 2023 reviews.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions for smoking cessation.
Results Summary
Findings on mindfulness-based interventions were less certain, indicating insufficient evidence to draw definitive conclusions about their efficacy for smoking cessation.
Population
Individuals seeking smoking cessation interventions.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
varenicline | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | are effective | #1 |
cytisine | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | are effective | #2 |
bupropion | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | are effective | #3 |
nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | are effective | #4 |
nicotine replacement therapy patches combined with fast acting forms like gum | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | are effective | #5 |
nicotine e-cigarettes | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | are effective | #6 |
varenicline | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | similar magnitude of effects | #7 |
cytisine | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | similar magnitude of effects | #8 |
nicotine e-cigarettes | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | similar magnitude of effects | #9 |
varenicline | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | emerged as the most effective treatments | #10 |
cytisine | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | emerged as the most effective treatments | #11 |
nicotine e-cigarettes | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | emerged as the most effective treatments | #12 |
behavioural counselling | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | supported | #13 |
financial incentives | increase | smoking cessation | - | - | supported | #14 |
e-cigarettes | increase | use at six months or longer | - | over half | over half of participants assigned to e-cigarette conditions were still using them | #15 |
switching from smoking to vaping or to dual use | decrease | biomarkers of potential harm | people | - | significantly reduced | #16 |
e-liquid flavours | no change | smoking cessation | - | - | insufficient evidence to draw associations | #17 |
mindfulness-based interventions | no change | smoking cessation | - | - | less certain | #18 |
interventions delivered by dental and primary care professionals | no change | smoking cessation | - | - | less certain | #19 |
interventions to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation | no change | weight gain after smoking cessation | - | - | less certain | #20 |
interventions for waterpipe cessation | no change | waterpipe cessation | - | - | less certain | #21 |
smoking cessation | decrease | cardiovascular events | people living with cardiovascular disease | - | reduced | #22 |
smoking cessation | decrease | mortality | people living with cardiovascular disease | - | reduced | #23 |
smoking cessation | increase | mental health | - | - | improved | #24 |
AIMS: To summarise systematic reviews on tobacco addiction published by the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group (CTAG) from 2021 to 2023. METHODS: We identified all new and updated Cochrane Reviews published by CTAG between 2021 and 2023. We present key results from these reviews and discuss promising avenues for future research. RESULTS: CTAG published five new reviews and one overview of reviews, and updated eight reviews. Review evidence showed that all main pharmacotherapies (varenicline, cytisine, bupropion and nicotine replacement therapy [NRT], especially when patches are combined with fast acting forms like gum) are effective for smoking cessation, as are nicotine e-cigarettes. Evidence suggested similar magnitude of effects of varenicline, cytisine, and nicotine e-cigarettes; these emerged as the most effective treatments. Evidence also supported behavioural counselling and financial incentives for smoking cessation. Secondary analyses of the Cochrane review of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation showed over half of participants assigned to e-cigarette conditions were still using them at six months or longer, that biomarkers of potential harm significantly reduced in people switching from smoking to vaping or to dual use, and that there was insufficient evidence to draw associations between e-liquid flavours and smoking cessation. Findings on mindfulness-based interventions, interventions delivered by dental and primary care professionals, interventions to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation, and interventions for waterpipe cessation were less certain. Reviews of observational evidence showed that smoking cessation reduced cardiovascular events and mortality in people living with cardiovascular disease, and improved mental health. CONCLUSIONS: Nicotine replacement therapy (especially patches combined with fast acting forms), varenicline, cytisine, bupropion, nicotine e-cigarettes, behavioural counselling, and financial incentives are all effective ways to help people quit smoking. Quitting smoking improves mental health and reduces cardiovascular events and mortality in people living with cardiovascular disease.