Description of a Canadian Employer-Sponsored Smoking Cessation Program Utilizing Community Pharmacy-Based Cognitive Services

Abstract

Background:

The health risks of tobacco are well documented, but employer-sponsored drug plans in Canada often remain hesitant to provide a smoking cessation benefit.

Objective:

The aim was to describe and assess the effectiveness of a smoking cessation program using community pharmacists to provide behavioural support to smokers motivated to quit.

Methods:

This was a descriptive study using administrative prescription claims data for an employer-sponsored smoking cessation program that ran between November 4, 2006, and December 17, 2006. Selected pharmacies provided assessments and behavioural support to 81 participants wishing to quit smoking. Pharmacies were reimbursed for their assessment and follow-up time. Self-reported, 6-month quit rates were the main outcome measure.

Results:

The smoking cessation program resulted in a self-reported, 6-month quit rate of 37.5%. Quit rates were higher for males than females (46.8% vs 24.2%) and higher for employees than for their spouses and dependents (47.2% vs 18.5%).

Conclusions:

These results suggest that Canadian employers can successfully sponsor smoking cessation programs that target smokers who are highly motivated to quit by providing community pharmacy—based behavioural support to achieve quit rates similar to or higher than those reported elsewhere in the literature. Additional research is required to confirm these results.