Over 78 million smokers in Europe want to quit,[i] but half (50%) of those surveyed who have tried to quit rate smoking cessation services as inadequate, poor or unacceptable, according to new research released today.1

Amongst healthcare professionals (HCPs) surveyed, 87% believe this support for smokers should be provided by primary care physicians.[ii] However, over half of physicians (55%) believe primary care HCPs lack the educational support to deliver these services effectively.2

These findings form part of research commissioned by Pfizer, which examines attitudes to smoking and smoking cessation amongst 2,482 HCPs, 20,010 smokers and 22,683 non-smokers across 20 European countries.1,2

Services and support are key to helping smokers quit and to helping governments who have signed up to the World Health Organization's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) meet their commitments to drive tobacco use down.[iii] When it comes to investment in improving smoking cessation services there is strong support from HCPs, non-smokers and smokers alike. 68% of non-smokers and 51% of smokers surveyed across Europe believe governments should invest more in bringing smoker numbers down, rather than in treating the health problems resulting from smoking.1 This is echoed by HCPs surveyed, 88% of whom believe it is the government's responsibility to improve infrastructure that supports smoking cessation.2

With just under half (48%) of smokers surveyed citing cost as the biggest barrier to seeking professional help to quit,1 funding for services and treatments is needed to encourage smokers to access the support available. Four out of 10 smokers say funding of smoking cessation treatments would encourage them to access support services.1 HCPs are also supportive of funding for smoking cessation treatments with over three quarters (77%) surveyed saying that smokers trying to quit should be reimbursed for clinically proven medications.2

Professor Luke Clancy, Chairman of the Tobacco Control Committee, European Respiratory Society (ERS) said: "Tobacco use is one of the biggest public health problems but stopping smoking is a significant challenge. Nicotine is highly addictive, similar to and in some ways more addictive than 'hard' drugs such as heroin or cocaine.[iv] However studies show that even a brief conversation with a clinician could double a smoker's chances of quitting successfully.[v] If we're to drive down deaths from tobacco use we must respond to the call to action from HCPs for better education to improve the chances of a smoker quitting successfully when they utilise these services."

In an effort to reduce tobacco use, the EU and its Member States have signed up to the WHO's Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC).3 The FCTC's Article 14, through its recently adopted guidelines, demands action to promote cessation of tobacco use and provide adequate treatment for tobacco dependence. Countries who have signed up to the FCTC therefore have a legal obligation to implement the recommendations of Article 14.

A landmark report, Europe Quitting: Progress and Pathways (EQUIPP) looks at how 20 countries across Europe are progressing in line with their Article 14 obligations. It represents the views of over 60 European smoking cessation experts and is endorsed by the European Respiratory Society (ERS), the European Network for Smoking and Tobacco Prevention (ENSP), and The German Society for Pneumology. The report makes actionable recommendations at both an EU and country level for how improvements can be made.

Improved education for HCPs feature in the recommendations made by smoking cessation experts for every one of the 20 countries analysed, alongside other strategies to improve smoking cessation such as clinical guidelines, increased tobacco prices and reimbursement for interventions and treatment.

John Young, Regional President, EuCan Primary Care, Pfizer, who initiated and funded the EQUIPP report notes: "Europe has significant challenges to overcome to reduce the burden of sickness, premature death and the economic impact of smoking. In order to affect real change, policies that promote smoking cessation and provision of these services must be in place. The EQUIPP report provides evidence-based approaches from leading experts on how to tackle tobacco use. We urge those who can effect policy change at a national level to implement the recommendations of the EQUIPP report and pave the way for progress in driving down tobacco dependence and use in Europe."

[i] This research was conducted by InSites Consulting in February 2011 and funded by Pfizer Ltd. Consumer research was conducted using an on-line quantitative survey in 20,010 smokers and 22,683 non-smokers across 20 European countries. The countries were: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

[ii] This study was conducted by GfK NOP HealthCare between December 2010 and February 2011 and funded by Pfizer Ltd. This study was conducted using an on-line quantitative survey among 2,482 healthcare professionals across 20 European countries. The countries were: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom

[iii] World Health Organization. Conference of the Parties to the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control. Fourth session Punta del Este, Uruguay, 15-20 November 2010. FCTC/COP/4/8

[iv] Nicotine Addiction in Britain - a Report of the Tobacco Advisory Group. London: Royal College of Physicians, 2000. Accessed online at: http://www.rcplondon.ac.uk/pubs/books/nicotine/contributors.htm Last accessed July 2010

[v] Hughes JR. New Treatments for Smoking Cessation. CA Cancer J Clin. 2000; 50: 143 - 151

Source
Pfizer