Evidence-based Cessation Aids

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In 2018 to 2019, 33.7% of smokers aged 18 years and older who attempted to quit in the past year used a smoking cessation aid in the quit attempt.

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Background

Quitting smoking has major and immediate health benefits for men and women of all ages. It dramatically reduces the risk of lung and other cancers caused by smoking, as well as risks of coronary heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.  

Cessation success is increased by the use of evidence-based treatment, including the use of behavioral counseling and medications. The combination of behavioral counseling and medication is especially effective. FDA-approved cessation medications include various forms of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and two medications that do not contain nicotine: bupropion (also known as Zyban), and varenicline (also known as Chantix). Behavioral support can be delivered in person, in group settings, over the phone (quitlines and telehealth sessions), and through mHealth modalities. However, few smokers use evidence-based cessation treatments when attempting to quit, which decreases their likelihood of success.  

E-cigarettes (also known as vapes or Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems) are battery-powered devices that convert a liquid (“e-liquid”) into an aerosol. E-liquids typically contain nicotine, flavorings, vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol and other chemicals. In addition to nicotine, e-cigarette aerosol may contain heavy metals, volatile organic compounds, and fine and ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deeply into the lungs by both users and bystanders. Many smokers report using e-cigarettes in an effort to quit smoking. However, the Surgeon General has concluded that there is presently inadequate evidence to conclude that e-cigarettes, in general, increase smoking cessation.

Measure

Denominator:  The three measures presented here (“Any Cessation Aid,” “Any Cessation Medication,” and “Any Cessation Counseling”) use a common denominator for any given data time point consisting of current smokers at time of interview who report a quit attempt during the past 12 months and recent former smokers who quit smoking within the past 12 months.

Numerator: Any Cessation Medication Use: current smokers who made a quit attempt during the past 12 months and recent former smokers who quit smoking during the past 12 months who reported using ANY NRT(s) (patch, gum, lozenge, nasal spray or oral inhaler) and/or reported using ANY of the following medications: Bupropion (Zyban®) and/or Varenicline (Chantix®).

Numerator: Any Cessation Counseling Use: current smokers who made a quit attempt during the past 12 months and recent former smokers who quit smoking during the past 12 months who reported using ANY of the following type(s) of behavioral counseling: from a quit-line; one-on-one with a clinician; at a clinic, class or support group; or from the internet (i.e., web-based), a smartphone app, or a  texting program. (Note: The 2020 Surgeon General’s Report on Smoking Cessation concluded that evidence is inadequate to infer that smartphone apps for smoking cessation are independently effective in increasing smoking cessation.)

Numerator: Any Cessation Aid Use: current smokers who made a quit attempt during the past 12 months and recent former smokers who quit smoking during the past 12 months who reported using one or more of the cessation medications and/or cessation counseling types included in the above two measures.

Healthy People 2030 Target

  • Healthy People 2030 includes a goal to increase the use of smoking cessation counseling and medication in adults who smoke (TU-13) which relies on National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data. In 2015, 32.1 percent of current adult smokers aged 18 years and over who tried to quit during the past year (and former adult smokers who quit during the past 2 years) reported using cessation counseling and/or medication as part of a quit attempt. The 2030 target for this goal is 43.8%.

Healthy People 2030 is a set of goals set forth by the Department of Health and Human Services.

Data Source

The Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey Harmonized Data, National Cancer Institute, 1992–2019.

US Department of Commerce, Census Bureau (2005, 2013, 2020). Tobacco Use Supplement to the Current Population Survey- National Cancer Institute sponsored in 2003 and 2010-11 and National Cancer Institute and Food and Drug Administration co-sponsored in 2018-19.

Trends and Most Recent EstimatesHelp with navigating the graphs and data tables

Any Cessation Aid

Percentage of smokers aged 18 years and older who used a smoking cessation aid (counseling and/or medication) in an attempt to quit smoking in the past year, 2003-2019
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2018 to 2019)
Percent 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of smokers aged 18 years and older who used a smoking cessation aid (counseling and/or medication) in an attempt to quit smoking in the past year, 2003-2019 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 33.7 32.5 - 34.9
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 32.0 30.4 - 33.7
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 35.4 33.6 - 37.2

Cessation Medication

Percentage of smokers aged 18 years and older who used a smoking cessation medication in an attempt to quit smoking in the past year, 2003-2019
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2018 to 2019)
Percent 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of smokers aged 18 years and older who used a smoking cessation medication in an attempt to quit smoking in the past year, 2003-2019 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 30.4 29.2 - 31.6
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 29.2 27.6 - 30.8
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 31.5 29.9 - 33.2

Cessation Counseling

Percentage of smokers aged 18 years and older who used smoking cessation counseling in an attempt to quit smoking in the past year, 2003-2019
Overview Graph Detailed Trend Graphs Most Recent Estimates (2018 to 2019)
Percent 95% Confidence Interval
Thumbnail of graph for Percentage of smokers aged 18 years and older who used smoking cessation counseling in an attempt to quit smoking in the past year, 2003-2019 Both SexesClick to see the detailed trend graph for Both Sexes 10.1 9.4 - 10.9
MaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Male 8.6 7.6 - 9.7
FemaleClick to see the detailed trend graph for Female 11.7 10.6 - 12.9

Additional Information on Evidence-based Cessation Aids

Quitting Resources

Year Range

2003-2019

Recent Summary Trend Year Range

2010-2019

Summary Tables

Clinicians' Advice to Quit Smoking

Recent Summary Trend

Stable

Desired Direction

Rising