Treating Tobacco Dependency in National Health Service Workers in Greater Manchester: An Evaluation of a Bespoke Digital Service

Abstract

Introduction: Treating tobacco dependency in National Health Service (NHS) workers delivers substantial benefits at an individual, population, and health care system level. We report the outcomes from the Greater Manchester Integrated Care Partnership’s tobacco dependency treatment program for NHS workers which includes 6-months’ access to behavioral support and 12 weeks of treatment through a digital application. Methods: Aggregate results for all participants across the program from January 1, 2022, to September 1, 2023, are reported including a deep-dive evaluation of 300 participants recruited to provide chemically validated outcomes. Results: A total of 1567 NHS workers participated in the program within the evaluation period, completing 24,048 sessions with specialist advisors within the application, ordering 18,710 nicotine vape liquids, 6927 nicotine patches, and 297 short-acting nicotine products. Users reported achieving 89,464 smoke-free days, 1,258,069 less cigarettes smoked, and a financial saving of £622,231. The deep-dive evaluation revealed a CO-verified 12-week abstinence rate of 37% (111 of 300). Conclusion: This evaluation provides assurance of clinical effectiveness within a bespoke digital tobacco dependency treatment program for NHS workers across an Integrated Care Partnership.

Keywords

• Smoking cessation
• Treating tobacco dependency
• Nicotine replacement therapy
• Vapes
• Abstinence from smoking