Use of nicotine products and tobacco cessation in Swiss primary care: Cross-sectional data from the Sentinella network.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to characterize tobacco and nicotine product use and cessation efforts in Swiss primary care, including prescription of medications and recommendation of vapes for quitting smoking.
Results Summary
Among nicotine product users, 20% planned to quit, with most opting for no treatment. Half of PCPs offered follow-up and medications, while 52% never recommended vapes.
Population
Patients ≥12 years of age in Swiss primary care settings.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Data collected between September and December 2021 (cross-sectional).
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
nicotine replacement therapy | no change | smoking cessation | patients planning to quit smoking | 15% | planned to use | #1 |
varenicline | no change | smoking cessation | patients planning to quit smoking | 9% | planned to use | #2 |
vapes | no change | smoking cessation | patients planning to quit smoking | 6% | planned to use | #3 |
bupropion | no change | smoking cessation | patients planning to quit smoking | 5% | planned to use | #4 |
cessation advice | no change | smoking cessation | patients using nicotine products | 46% | received | #5 |
cessation advice | no change | smoking cessation | patients using nicotine products | 16% | received | #6 |
cessation advice | no change | smoking cessation | patients using nicotine products | 3% | received | #7 |
follow-up and medications | no change | smoking cessation | patients planning to quit | ≥50% | offered | #8 |
vapes | no change | smoking cessation | patients planning to quit | 52% | never recommended | #9 |
INTRODUCTION: We aimed to characterize current tobacco and nicotine product use and tobacco cessation efforts in Swiss primary care, including the prescription of medications and recommendation of vapes to quit smoking. METHODS: Cross-sectional study from pediatricians and primary care physicians (PCPs) in the Swiss Sentinella network (practice-based network to monitor infectious diseases). PCPs collected data from 30 consecutive patients ≥12 years of age between September and December 2021. Patient data included age, gender, nicotine products use, plans to quit, and time discussing smoking cessation. PCP data were their use of medications, follow-up appointments, and vapes for quitting smoking. RESULTS: Eighty-nine of 168 PCPs participated (53 %) and collected data on 2438 patients, of whom 523 (21,5 %) used a nicotine product within seven days, of whom 88 % smoked cigarettes. Among the 106 (20 %) who planned to quit smoking, 16 (15 %) planned to use nicotine replacement therapy, nine (9 %) varenicline, six (6 %) vapes, five (5 %) bupropion, and 57 no treatment (54 %). Moreover, 236 (46 %) of 523 patients using nicotine products received one to five minutes of cessation advice, 80 (16 %) six to ten minutes, and 17 (3 %) >10 min. Half of PCPs offered follow-up and medications to ≥50 % of patients planning to quit, while 52 % never recommended vapes. CONCLUSION: The use of nicotine products remains common among primary care patients, the majority of whom smoke cigarettes. Nicotine products without tobacco remain relatively rare. After the consultation, one in five patients using nicotine products planned to quit, the majority without any aid.