Determinants of use of smoking cessation aids in 27 European countries.
OBJECTIVE
To identify determinants of use of smoking cessation aids among current and former smokers in the European Union (EU).


METHODS
Data from n=9921 current and ex-smokers from 27 European countries (Eurobarometer 77.1, February-March 2012) were analysed. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to assess for correlates of use of any recommended aid with proven efficacy, defined as use of pharmacotherapy or psychosocial counselling (p<0.05). The regression analyses assessed for socio-demographic characteristics, EU region, as well as scope of national smoking cessation policies.


RESULTS
Among current smokers who had made a quit attempt and ex-smokers, 19.9% had used any recommended aid with proven efficacy. Respondents from Northern (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]=1.90), Western (aOR=3.21) and Eastern Europe (aOR=1.69) were more likely to have used an efficacious smoking cessation aid compared to respondents from Southern Europe (all p<0.05). Respondents in countries with comprehensive tobacco cessation programmes that offered cost-covered national quit lines, medication, and other cessation services had increased likelihood of using efficacious cessation aids (OR=1.29; 95% Confidence Interval: 1.07-1.55).


CONCLUSIONS
These findings underscore the need for enhanced and sustained efforts to ensure increased access to cessation services and aids as part of a comprehensive tobacco control programme.
School of Public Health, Imperial College London, The Reynolds Building, St. Dunstan's Road, London W6 8RP, UK; Center for Health Services Research, University of Athens, Alexandroupoleos 25, 11527, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: f.filippidis@imperial.ac.uk.
Filippos T
FT
Filippidis
1st Critical Care Medicine Department, Cardiopulmonary Exercise Testing and Rehabilitation Laboratory, "Evgenidio" Hospital, NKUA, Papadiamantopoulou 20, 15128, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: gerovasili.v@gmail.com.
Vasiliki
V
Gerovasili
Center for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, 4th West, Boston, MA, 02215 USA. Electronic address: vardavas@hsph.harvard.edu.
Constantine I
CI
Vardavas
Center for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Harvard School of Public Health, 401 Park Drive, 4th West, Boston, MA, 02215 USA. Electronic address: iagaku@post.harvard.edu.
Israel T
IT
Agaku
Center for Health Services Research, University of Athens, Alexandroupoleos 25, 11527, Athens, Greece. Electronic address: ytountas@med.uoa.gr.
Yannis
Y
Tountas
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004522:Educational Status; D005062:European Union; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012923:Social Class; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D055815:Young Adult
Europe; Smoking cessation; Tobacco; Tobacco use cessation products