Comparison of smoking behavior change for SI and UC study groups. MRFIT Research Group.
BACKGROUND
The results of MRFIT smoking intervention program are presented for the 4,103 special intervention and 4,091 usual care men who reported smoking cigarettes at the first screening visit.


RESULTS
Among the special intervention men, the reported cessation rate increased from 43.1% at 12 months to 48.9% at 72 months. The reported cessation rate among the usual care men increased from 13.5% at 12 months to 28.8% at 72 months. Among smokers who reported cessation at 72 months, 51.3% of special intervention men and 22.7% of usual care men had quit smoking within the first year and remained abstinent thereafter. Average thiocyanate and expired-air carbon monoxide served as objective measures of smoking and were significantly lower among the special intervention men than among the usual care men over the entire follow-up period. The reported cessation rates at 72 months varied according to initial levels of smoking. Smokers reporting 1-19 cigarettes per day at entry were more likely to quit than heavier smokers. For each category of smoking at entry (1-19, 20-39, and 40 or more cigarettes per day) significantly more special intervention than usual care smokers reported cessation.


CONCLUSIONS
These results indicate that the MRFIT smoking intervention program was successful in promoting early cigarette smoking cessation and maintaining cessation over the entire trial for a large percentage of cigarette smokers.
Ockene
J K
JK
Department of Medicine, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester 01655.
Hymowitz
N
N
Lagus
J
J
Shaten
B J
BJ
D000328:Adult; D002248:Carbon Monoxide / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D013861:Thiocyanates / Q000302:isolation & purification
D013861:Thiocyanates; D002248:Carbon Monoxide; C031760:thiocyanate