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Use of nicotine products and tobacco cessation in Swiss primary care: Cross-sectional data from the Sentinella network.

Preventive medicine reports
March 1, 2025
Marc Huguenot et al. (8 authors)
Journal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (9)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
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
Abstract

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.

Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy45/10
Quality65/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.30
Normalized Score0.51
Related Supplements
Use of nicotine products and tobacco cessation in Swiss prim... | Panacea Index