Alberg Anthony J, Stashefsky Margalit Ruth, Burke Alyce, Rasch Kimberly A, Stewart Nell, Kline Jo Ann, Ernst Paula A, Avey Amy, Hoffman Sandra C
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Room E6132 B, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, MD 21205, USA.
Addict Behav. 2004 Dec;29(9):1763-78. doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2004.04.007.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has added to the menu of options available to assist cigarette smokers in quit attempts, but cost remains a barrier to access. A quasi-experimental study was carried out to compare quit rates and continuous abstinence from smoking before (n=601) and after (n=311) free nicotine patches were offered to smokers who participated in the Washington County (Maryland) Health Department's "Stop Smoking for Life" group behavioral cessation program. After free NRT was offered, the quit rates upon completion of the program increased from 38% to 65% [difference 27%; 95% confidence limits (CL) 21%, 34%]. The difference in continuos abstinence from smoking between the two groups was no longer statistically significant after 6 months of follow-up, reflecting the more rapid rate of reversion to smoking that occurred during the 18-month follow-up period among the free NRT group who had quit [adjusted rate ratio (RR) 1.35; 95% CL 1.03, 1.78]. Enrollment during the first 18 months after free NRT was 37% greater than the program's first 18 months (P=.08). In conclusion, adding free nicotine patches to a smoking cessation program was associated with increased program enrollment and significantly increased short-term-but not long-term-quit rates. The rapid reversion to smoking in the group who received free nicotine patches could potentially be obviated if participants extend their use of nicotine patches after the free 6-week supply is exhausted.
尼古丁替代疗法（NRT）增加了帮助吸烟者戒烟的可用选项，但费用仍是获取该疗法的一个障碍。开展了一项准实验研究，以比较参与华盛顿县（马里兰州）卫生局“终身戒烟”团体行为戒烟项目的吸烟者在提供免费尼古丁贴片之前（n = 601）和之后（n = 311）的戒烟率及持续戒烟情况。提供免费NRT后，项目完成时的戒烟率从38%增至65%[差值27%；95%置信区间（CL）21%，34%]。两组在持续戒烟方面的差异在随访6个月后不再具有统计学显著性，这反映出在18个月随访期内，已戒烟的免费NRT组中复吸率更高[调整率比（RR）1.35；95% CL 1.03，1.78]。免费NRT实施后的前18个月的入组人数比该项目最初的18个月多37%（P = 0.08）。总之，在戒烟项目中增加免费尼古丁贴片与项目入组人数增加以及短期戒烟率显著提高相关，但长期戒烟率未提高。如果参与者在6周的免费尼古丁贴片供应耗尽后延长使用时间，那么接受免费尼古丁贴片组中快速复吸的情况可能会得到避免。
