Search Results (3)

Background/Objectives: Current scientific evidence shows both the relationship between good physical condition and a lower incidence of certain chronic diseases (including smoking), as well as the efficacy of cytisinicline. The aim of this protocol is to evaluate the efficacy of the synergistic effect of the combination of targeted physical exercise, together with brief advice and taking the drug cytisinicline, to achieve smoking cessation. Methods: We propose an experimental, multicentre, randomised, controlled study with two parallel arms to be carried out by a multidisciplinary team in the primary care setting of the Andalusian public health system (APHS) in Spain, with a follow-up of 12 months. The population sample will include people who are aged between 18 and 65 years and meet the criteria to be eligible for treatment with cytisinicline financed by the APHS: smokers of 10 or more cigarettes per day who are in the determination/action phase for smoking cessation of the transtheoretical model of Prochaska and Diclemente, willing to start anti-smoking treatment imminently and confirmed, with high dependence to nicotine (Fagerström’s test ≥ 7), with a motivation to quit smoking according to the Richmond test (≥6), and who have made a previous smoking cessation attempt in the last year. The study consists of two treatment arms. EXPERIMENTAL ARM: Smokers who are going to be prescribed targeted physical exercise and brief advice to stop smoking while receiving cytisinicline treatment (1.5 mg tablets) according to the care process. CONTROL ARM: Smokers will receive a standard leaflet explaining physical exercise to the general population and brief advice on smoking cessation when starting cytisinicline treatment, according to the care process. The calculated sample size is 75 participants per arm. Results: The primary results will allow us to estimate the efficacy of prescribing physical exercise as an adjuvant therapy to classic multicomponent treatment, incorporating it as an additional element to be considered when it is accepted by the smoker. Conclusions: This protocol (NCT06579846) evaluates the efficacy of combining physical exercise, brief advice, and cytisinicline to support smoking cessation, improve fitness, and reduce smoking-related comorbidities Full article

The smoking habits of 9,276 high-school students (15-18 years old) in six cities of Northern Greece were studied using a questionnaire in order to determine the prevalence and possible risk factors for initiation of smoking. We observed that 29.6% of high-school students (32.6% of boys and 26.7% of girls) were current smokers. A percentage of 43.3% had started smoking before the age of 14. Reactive behaviour towards parents’ and teachers’ advice (40.2%) and the existence of smoking friends (40.1%) were the main reasons of initiation. A well-planned integrated anti-smoking campaign is urgently required, especially among students and teachers. Full article

Introduction: Pulmonologists can play an important role in smoking prevention and control. The aim of this study was to assess smoking prevalence among Polish pulmonologists and physicians’ behaviour towards smoking patients. Material and methods: The study was performed in 2006 during national congress of Polish Respiratory Society. The survey was performed using a questionnaire including questions regarding age, sex, professional activities, specialty, academic degree and respondents’ nicotine status, attitude and activity towards smoking patients. Results: Questionnaires were filled in by 498 physicians: 160 (32.1%) men and 338 (67.9%) women, out of 852 participating physicians (58.5%) who received the questionnaire. There were 11.3% smokers (13.8% men and 10% women), 25.1% of surveyed physicians were ex-smokers, and 63.6% never smokers. 91.4% of respondents always ask patients if they smoke. 87.4% physicians always advise smoking cessation to their patients, but smoking cessation support is offered only by 48% of respondents. Almost half respondents use drugs in nicotine dependence treatment. Majority of respondents (81.1%) think that physician’s attitude influences patient’s behaviour. More than a half (55.7%) think that smoking by physicians is not in accordance with physician’s ethics. 91.4% support smoking ban in public places. Conclusions: This study found a lower prevalence of smoking among Polish pulmonologists compared with the general population, and with the previous surveys and demonstrated the impact of personal smoking on physicians’ attitudes towards smoking. Full article