A smoking cessation programme for use in general practice.

The effectiveness of a smoking intervention programme based in general practice was evaluated at six months by a randomized controlled trial. In the programme, general practitioners achieved a 33% success rate compared with 3% in a control group. Reported abstinence was checked by blood tests for cotinine, carboxyhaemoglobin and thiocyanate. The majority of patients considered that their chances of success were greater if a doctor administered the programme, and that having the results of lung function and blood tests explained in relation to the risks of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases constituted a strong incentive to stop smoking. Two cases illustrating a successful and a failed outcome of the programme are described. If one quarter of general practitioners in Australia adopted this programme in their practice, approximately 150,000 new abstainers could be expected each year.