Implementation of a free smoking-cessation program in a Lebanese academic medical center

Abstract

Introduction Despite the exceptionally high prevalence of tobacco use in Lebanon, few cessation programs exist. The American University of Beirut (AUB) developed one of the first smoking-cessation programs in the country in 2015, and the program became free-of-charge to patients in 2018. The program offers initial visit(s) with a primary care provider, in-person and/or telephone counseling, acupuncture, and medications. Material and Methods We assessed patient characteristics, treatments used, and patient outcomes in the first year of implementing the free smoking-cessation program, compared to the original program. We compared 87 smokers who initiated treatment in the free program with 47 patients in the original program. Results At baseline, smokers in the free program were younger, smoked fewer cigarettes per day, and had lower CO levels than smokers in the original program. At 1 month follow-up, 72.9% were abstinent in the free program, compared with 42.2% in the original program (p<0.001). Smokers who had ≥2 primary care visits and those who had ≥1 acupuncture visits had higher rates of abstinence at 1 month and those who were prescribed bupropion had higher rates of abstinence at 12 months. Conclusions Implementation of the free smoking cessation program demonstrates preliminary efficacy, with telephone support offering potential for scalability.

Keywords

• free clinic
• smoking cessation
• counseling