National survey of smoking cessation provision in China

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONTreatment for smoking cessation is an important part of tobacco control and has been promoted within the Chinese health service for many years. The aim of this study was to assess the current status of smoking cessation treatment provision within the Chinese health service.METHODSA nationwide survey, sponsored by the National Health and Family Planning Commission, assessed smoking cessation activities in all 31 Provincial Health and Family Planning Commissions (PHFPCs) in China. Within the 31 provinces, 366 hospitals and primary care centers running smoking cessation clinics provided details of their activities.RESULTSFindings show that all PHFPCs took steps to promote smoking cessation, such as by conducting inspections and supervising local cessation clinics. Specifically, among the 366 health institutions,73% were based in general hospitals, with smoking cessation clinics predominantly located in respiratory departments. Furthermore, only 43% provided smoking cessation medications.CONCLUSIONSThis was the first nationwide survey of smoking cessation support available to smokers in China. It provides the most comprehensive picture of the treatment arm of smoking cessation activities so far. The Chinese government has taken measures to support smoking cessation, however, further efforts are needed to address the imbalanced distribution of resources and the limited availability of medications. On-going monitoring of barriers and facilitators affecting treatment provision is needed, as well as an understanding of the importance of each hospital focusing on working priorities specific to their needs. This survey could be a reference for other countries starting to promote smoking cessation.

Reasons why Chinese smokers prefer not to use electronic cigarettes

“…Chinese smokers' perception of the potential role of e-cigarettes in aiding cessation was likely the result of exposure to e-cigarette advertising, which often contained unsubstantiated claims about the e-cigarette's effectiveness in helping smokers quit and its role as a better and healthier substitute for cigarettes 17,33,34 . As China increases its effort to promote smoking cessation 35,36 , it is expected that more Chinese smokers will seek to quit smoking, and some of these smokers may start to use e-cigarettes as a result, similar to what has been observed in the US and UK. As such, policies that encourage smokers to quit and discourage e-cigarette use will be needed if future studies demonstrate that e-cigarettes are harmful and that they are not effective in helping smokers quit.…”

Relationships among smoking abstinence self-efficacy, trait coping style and nicotine dependence of smokers in Beijing

“…Research on methods and approaches to smoking cessation has developed in China as awareness of the hazards of smoking and the dangers of secondhand and thirdhand smoke have spread, which shows that the Chinese Government has realized the importance of smoking cessation 23 , especially with the development of information technology 24 , and more and more smokers who want to quit are trying electronic information system interventions for smoking cessation methods and approaches 25 . However, we still find that most of the concerns about the impact factors of smoking cessation focus on the perception of smoking harm and smoking cessation drugs usage instead of psychological intervention.…”

The effect of the presence of children on adult smoking behaviour: empirical evidence based on China family panel studies

“…The presence of children, especially children at an early age, provides opportunities for such ‘teachable moments’ to support smoking cessation. In China, services to help people stop smoking are rare [ 22 , 23 ]. If limited resources for cessation are to be used effectively, then taking advantage of these ‘teachable moments’ becomes a necessity.…”