title: Smoking cessation practice among family doctors in Lithuania: a Survey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Relatively low proportion of ex-smokers and high rates of smoking-related diseases are estimated in Lithuania. The aim of this survey was to assess the extent of smoking cessation assistance among family doctors in Lithuania, and to identify factors associated with cessation interventions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected using a questionnaire addressing family doctors' cessation assistance practice; knowledge of smoking epidemiology and health effects; knowledge of cessation assistance guidelines; smoking status; and attendance on Courses/Conferences on Smoking and smoking cessation Assistance (CCSA). The study included 718 family doctors in Lithuania in 2014.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results show that 23% of family doctors always ask their patients about smoking habits. Although 59% of family doctors always advise smoking patients to quit smoking, only 26% recommend a follow-up appointment, 22% refer for a specialized smoking cessation treatment, 15% prescribe nicotine replacement therapy, and 6% prescribe Varenicline or Bupropion. The study demonstrated limited knowledge of family doctors in relation to epidemiological aspects of tobacco use and effective cessation assistance methods. Cessation assistance is influenced by family doctors' age, smoking status, knowledge of cessation assistance guidelines and CCSA attendance.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Effective training of family doctors' in smoking epidemiology, health hazards and in smoking cessation assistance is warranted in Lithuania. In addition, coordinated efforts in primary health care institutions are required to improve help for smokers who intend to quit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Centre of Public Health Technologies, Institute of Hygiene, Didzioji g. 22, LT-01128 Vilnius, Lithuania - 2Laboratory of Cancer Epidemiology, National Cancer Institute, P. Baublio 3B, LT-08406 Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Everatt
authors.affiliation: Department of Research, Centre of Public Health Technologies, Institute of Hygiene, Didzioji g. 22, LT-01128 Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zolubiene
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Pharmacology "V. Erspamer", Sapienza University of Rome, School of Medicine, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: M C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Grassi
mesh_terms: D016642:Bupropion; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania; D008875:Middle Aged; D010821:Physicians, Family; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D016642:Bupropion
keywords: Chronic disease prevention; Family doctors; Knowledge of cessation assistance guidelines; Smoking cessation assistancemany; Tobacco