A Comparison of Pharmacological Tobacco Cessation Relapse Rates

Abstract

Tobacco use is the nation's leading preventable cause of chronic illness and injury; it takes the lives of 450,000 of our citizens each year. Currently, there are numerous treatment programs and pharmacological aids that may be obtained with a prescription or purchased over the counter at your local drugstore. The purpose of this study was to compare differences in tobacco cessation relapse rates of military personnel at the 1-, 3-, and 6-month intervals among 4 categories of pharmacological and cognitive regimens used at an outpatient naval treatment facility. A nonprobability convenience sampling plan was used to obtain (a) 10 patient–participant Freedom From Smoking (FFS) course records that utilized Zyban and Nicotine Replacement Therapy, (b) 10 patient-participant FFS course records that utilized Zyban only, (c) 10 patient–participant FFS course records that utilized Nicotine Replacement Therapy only, and (d) 10 patient–participant FFS course records that utilized Nicotine Replacement Therapy and nicotine gum (as needed). Findings revealed no significant difference between relapse and associated pharmacological treatment program. There was, however, a moderate increased cessation effort in Program 4 (nicotine replacement patch and nicotine gum). Results also demonstrated no significant difference between demographic variables and relapse cohorts. A significant positive relation between length of smoking and packs smoked per day was revealed, however.