title: Analysis of Driving Factors of Willingness to Use and Willingness to Pay for Existing Pharmacological Smoking Cessation Aids Among Young and Middle-Aged Adults in Germany.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Smoking cessation is a challenging task with a high risk of relapse. Depending on the choice of medication and duration of therapy, the costs of using a smoking cessation aid can be high. Additionally, these costs are not covered by health insurance in Germany. Information on willingness to use (WTU) and willingness to pay (WTP) for smoking cessation aids is valuable for developing different smoking cessation strategies.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The study analyses WTU and WTP for three pharmacological smoking cessation aids (nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), bupropion and varenicline) among young and middle-aged adults in Germany and attempts to determine their major driving factors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional internet-based surveys of smokers over 18 years of age were conducted in 2014 and 2015 in Germany. Respondents were asked about smoking-related issues and WTU and WTP for each therapy. The contingent valuation method with payment cards was used to measure WTP. Descriptive statistics, logistical regression and accelerated failure-time regression models were performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total sample size is 505. Half of the respondents are willing to use NRT and one-third are willing to use bupropion and/or varenicline. WTU induces positive WTP; however, the magnitude of WTP is beneath the market price. WTU significantly increases with a higher addiction level and if smokers have previously heard about the therapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study indicates different points to be considered for policy development. Promotion information and improving awareness about medication aids might increase WTU, and development of monetary incentives for young smokers could create a better chance for successful smoking cessation.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Economics Research Hanover (CHERH), Leibniz University of Hanover, Otto-Brenner-Str.1, 30159, Hanover, Germany. ia@cherh.de.|Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hanover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hanover, Germany. ia@cherh.de.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Aumann
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Economics Research Hanover (CHERH), Leibniz University of Hanover, Otto-Brenner-Str.1, 30159, Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Treskova
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Economics Research Hanover (CHERH), Leibniz University of Hanover, Otto-Brenner-Str.1, 30159, Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Hagemann
authors.affiliation: Centre for Health Economics Research Hanover (CHERH), Leibniz University of Hanover, Otto-Brenner-Str.1, 30159, Hanover, Germany.|Biomedical Research in Endstage and Obstructive Lung Disease Hanover (BREATH), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Hanover, Germany.
authors.forename: J-M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: von der Schulenburg
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016642:Bupropion / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000191:economics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000191:economics*; D000068580:Varenicline / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D018765:Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D016642:Bupropion; D000068580:Varenicline