Clinical factors associated with smoking cessation among smokers with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease by sex: Longitudinal analyses from French smoking cessation services.

Background: Smoking is responsible for 80 % of cases of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), while the prognosis is improved by smoking cessation (SC). We examined clinical factors associated with SC among smokers with COPD comparing women and men. Methods: The study comprised a cohort of 1470 smokers who visited a SC service and completed at least 28-day of follow-up visits. The outcome was smoking status at follow-up (abstinence, reduction, no change). Abstinence was defined as continuous abstinence for at least 28 days, validated by the measurement of expired Carbon Monoxide. Reduction was defined as a halving of the baseline tobacco consumption. Results: The average age of the population was 53 (±11) years and 58.2 % were women. Men were 2 years younger than women and consulted more likely after a hospital contact, whereas women consulted on their own initiative. Women more often had a depression history, whereas men had medical comorbidities and co-addictions. There was no significant difference by sex regarding the abstinence rate (41.0 % in women vs 40.7 in men, p > 0.9). The factors significantly associated with higher abstinence rates in both sexes were: at least one previous quit attempt and number of follow-up visits ≥4. The factors negatively associated with quitting in women were diabetes, intake of mood stabilizers and consuming more than 10 cigarettes per day while having a chronic bronchitis, taking antidepressants and having consumed cannabis in the last 30 days hampered SC in men. Conclusions: Concerning factors associated with SC, few differences were found between female and male smokers suffering from COPD. However, due to the different medical and smoking behavior characteristics according to sex, it might be important to take these differences into account in order to provide tailored SC management.

Burnout Mediates the Association Between Workaholism and Substance Use: Findings from a French National Company.

To examine the mediation effect of burnout on the association between workaholism and tobacco and alcohol use. A total of 2199 workers from the French national electricity company fulfilled an online questionnaire. Smoking status, alcohol use disorder based on the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption and workaholism based on the Work Addiction Risk Test were used as binary variables. Burnout was assessed as a continuous variable with the Copenhagen Burn-Out Inventory. Mediation analyses tested the direct effect of the associations between workaholism and each substance use, as well as the indirect effect passing through burnout, while adjusting for sociodemographic factors (gender, age, occupational grade and marital life), work stress using the effort-reward imbalance and overcommitment. When testing the mediation effect of burnout on the relation between workaholism and smoking, there was a significant direct effect of workaholism on smoking (Estimated effect of 0.27 [95% CI 0.01; 0.54]) and a significant indirect effect passing through burnout (Estimated effect of 0.09 [95% CI 0.02; 0.15]). When testing the mediation effect of burnout on the relation between workaholism and alcohol use, the direct effect of workaholism on alcohol use was not significant (Estimated effect of 0.21 [95% CI - 0.01; 0.44]) while the indirect effect passing through burnout was significant (Estimated effect of 0.10 [95% CI 0.04; 0.17]). Information and prevention regarding substance use should be reinforced among workers exposed to workaholism, especially if their workaholism led to a high level of burnout. Preventing the emergence of burnout among workaholics might have some benefits on their tobacco and alcohol use.

Tobacco smoking and diabetes. A comparative survey among diabetologists and smoking cessation specialists.

AIMS: Because tobacco smoking is a major risk factor of mortality in diabetes and guidelines suggest evaluating smoking behavior among individuals with diabetes and helping smokers quit, we aimed to assess knowledge about the tobacco smoking - diabetes relationship among diabetologists and smoking cessation specialists (SCS). METHODS: An online cross sectional survey was conceived by the Working Group on Smoking and Diabetes, France. The questionnaire was tested by the members of the Working Group and deemed to be completed in less than 5 min. Only questions receiving the highest number of approval ratings were kept for the survey. The questionnaire was sent to all members of the French Language Society of Diabetes (Société Francophone du Diabète, SFD), N = 969 and the French Language Society on Tobacco (Société Francophone de Tabacologie, SFT), N = 307. The mailing lists of members were obtained with the previous agreement of the societies' board. RESULTS: 225 diabetologists and 97 SCS (response rate 23.2% and 31.5%, respectively) completed the questionnaire. Over 90% of the diabetologists reported recording smoking status of their patients. Although diabetologists were aware that smoking increases all-cause mortality of individuals with diabetes, only 29.3% were aware that smoking is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes (76.3% among SCS), for poor glycemic control: 32.9% (86.6% among SCS). Significantly less diabetologists (64%) than SCS (76.3%) were aware of smoking being a risk factor for microangiopathy. More diabetologists considered that smoking cessation is more important than optimizing glycemic control among individuals with type 2 (69.3%) than among those with type 1 diabetes (47.1%). Few diabetologists (11.1%) and SCS (14.4%) reported to be trained for smoking cessation among persons with diabetes. CONCLUSION: Specific knowledge about the negative tobacco smoking - diabetes association seems to be insufficient among French diabetologists. Diabetologists but also other health care professionals should be trained to help individuals with diabetes who smoke to quit smoking.

Factors associated with smoking cessation in exclusive smokers and dual users of e-cigarette and conventional cigarettes from CDTnet registry.

Dual use of electronic cigarettes and conventional cigarettes may be a transitional state towards cigarette smoking cessation. However, maintaining dual use may increase tobacco-related consequences as smoking behavior persists. The aim of our study was to describe characteristics of dual users and explore factors associated with their one-month abstinence in comparison to exclusive smokers in French smoking cessation services (SCS). We retrospectively studied 5116 smokers registered in a national SCS registry between 2015 and 2018 and who attended at least two visits. We matched the retained exclusive smokers and dual users by age, sex, professional status and education level. We compared baseline information and validated smoking abstinence at one-month follow-up between the two groups. Predictors of abstinence were assessed using a multivariate model. Retained exclusive smokers and dual users had similar cessation rates (37%). Compared to exclusive smokers, dual users presented more comorbidities and a higher level of nicotine dependence. Factors positively associated with cessation in dual users were: being employed or retired, declaring three or more previous quit attempts, presenting with low nicotine dependence and high motivation to quit and benefiting from at least four follow-up consultations. Our results suggest that dual users seeking help to quit in SCS seem to benefit from support as much as exclusive smokers to reach abstinence, despite a higher level of nicotine dependence and comorbidities. Further research, especially qualitative, is needed on this specific group of smokers to provide tailored interventions to quit.

Smoking and diabetes interplay: A comprehensive review and joint statement.

Evidence shows that smoking increases the risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes in the general population. Among persons with diabetes, smoking has been found to increase the risk of all-cause mortality and aggravate chronic diabetic complications and glycemic control. The current paper, which is a joint position statement by the French-Speaking Society on Tobacco (Société Francophone de Tabacologie) and the French-Speaking Society of Diabetes (Société Francophone du Diabète), summarizes the data available on the association between smoking and diabetes and on the impact of smoking and smoking cessation among individuals with type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes mellitus. It also provides evidence-based information about the pharmacological and behavioral strategies for smoking cessation in these patients.

Cardiovascular Risk Among Patients Who Smoke: Risk Profiles and Differences by Sex.

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is particularly harmful to the cardiovascular system, and smoking-cessation is a key target for cardiovascular prevention. From a large nationwide database on subjects who visited smoking-cessation services, this study assessed the profile and abstinence rate comparing female with male smokers at high cardiovascular risk. METHODS: This was an observational study from the French smoking-cessation services cohort (French national cohort Consultations de Dépendance Tabagique) between 2001 and 2018. Inclusion criteria were being aged ≥18 years and having ≥1 cardiovascular risk factor. Abstinence was self-reported (stopping cigarettes or other tobacco products use ≥28 consecutive days) and confirmed by exhaled carbon monoxide <10 parts per million. Analysis was conducted in 2021. RESULTS: Among 36,864 people who smoke, 15,407 (42%) were women. Women were 3 years younger (48 vs 51 years, p<0.001) and more educated (≥high school diploma: 54% vs 45%, p<0.001) than men. The burden of cardiovascular risk factors was slightly lower in women than in men and, for hypercholesterolemia, hypertension, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, were half as frequent in women as they were in men (16% vs 32%, p<0.001). However, women suffered more often from obesity, respiratory diseases, and anxiety‒depression symptoms (53% vs 39%, p<0.001). Finally, although women were less nicotine dependent, their abstinence rate was slightly lower (52.6% vs 55.2%, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Women who smoked had a high burden of risk factors, especially obesity and elevated rates of lung diseases, and a lower abstinence rate, with more common anxiety‒depression symptoms. Men who smoked had a higher prevalence of cardiovascular disease, higher nicotine dependence, and coaddictions. These findings highlight the need to strengthen cardiovascular prevention strategies through comprehensive sex-tailored smoking-cessation interventions.

Work Conditions are Associated with Alcohol Use after Taking into Account Life Conditions Outside of Work: Findings from a French Occupational Health Service.

Background: Our aim was to examine whether work conditions could be associated with alcohol use even after taking into account life conditions outside of work. Methods: In 2019, 591 consecutive French workers were screened for alcohol use with the Fast Alcohol Consumption Evaluation (FACE). Ten different work conditions and four life conditions outside of work were assessed with 5-item Likert scales. Sociodemographic factors, smoking status and the Copenhaguen Burn-out Inventory were also collected. The associations between each work condition and FACE total score were examined with generalized linear models. Results: After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, the following work conditions were associated with a decreased FACE total score: "positive and/or grateful feedback on your work" (B = -0.22 (95%CI: -0.37; -0.07), p = 0.004), "time to do your job well" (B = -0.19 (95%CI: -0.35; -0.03), p = 0.019) and "freedom to organize your work" (B = -0.25(95%CI: -0.43; -0.08), p = 0.004). After further adjusting for life conditions outside of work, "positive and/or grateful feedback on your work" (B = -0.18 (95%CI: -0.33; -0.03), p = 0.021) and "freedom to organize your work" (B = -0.20(95%CI: -0.38; -0.02), p = 0.027) remained significantly associated with FACE total score. Additional adjustments for smoking status and burnout did not alter these results. Conclusions: Life conditions outside of work should not interfere with how improvements work conditions can help reduce alcohol use.

Tobacco-related cardiovascular risk in women: New issues and therapeutic perspectives.

BACKGROUND: Smoking is the main modifiable risk factor for stroke and myocardial infarction, particularly in women; its prevalence in France is evolving, and new patterns of nicotine consumption have emerged. AIMS: To present contemporary data on smoking prevalence and the use of electronic cigarettes, and to describe current knowledge of the cardiovascular risk specificities and the effectiveness of withdrawal methods in women. METHOD: We identified studies by searching the MEDLINE bibliographic database between 1995 and 2020, and the Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin (Bulletin Épidémiologique Hebdomadaire) published by the French health authorities. RESULT: In recent years, smoking prevalence among French women has decreased overall, except in the oldest age group (aged>55 years). At the same time, the incidence of hospitalization for cardiovascular events has increased worryingly among women smokers aged<65 years. Active smoking in women is associated with an increased risk of premature myocardial infarction, and a risk of stroke that increases with the number of cigarettes consumed per day; it is also responsible for increased cardiovascular events in women taking oestrogen-progestin contraception. Quitting smoking reverses these effects in the long term, and women are just as likely to quit smoking as men. CONCLUSIONS: Stopping smoking must be a priority objective for women smokers, for primary and secondary prevention, and they should systematically be offered a validated method of cessation or even electronic cigarettes.

Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics of Vapers Using E-Cigarettes Exclusively: The French Vapoquid Study.

BACKGROUND: Electronic cigarettes are increasingly being used as smoking cessation aids. Most studies assess the dual use of e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, but there remains a paucity of literature concerning individuals who use e-cigarettes exclusively. Objective: The aim of this study is to examine the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of exclusive e-cigarette users, and consider their willingness to quit e-cigarette use. Methods: A French online survey was conducted from March to December 2017. We assessed the following factors: sociodemographic factors; the clinical characteristics of e-cigarette use and its social acceptability; and the self-perceived effectiveness of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Associations between the listed factors and a willingness to quit e-cigarette use were examined. Results: A total of 386 exclusive e-cigarette users (70% men) participated in the study and were included in the analysis. Most respondents were not planning to quit e-cigarette use (75%). Compared to those who did not want to quit, a desire to quit was associated with using smoking cessation services (OR [95%CI]: 3.45 [1.82-6.56]), e-cigarette craving (OR [95%CI]: 2.63 [1.44-4.80]) and NRT past-use (1.78 [1.12-2.87]). Users who planned to quit expressed more concerns about smoking initiation among youths using e-cigarettes (OR [95%CI]: 3.62 [1.90-6.93]). In multivariate analysis, these associations remained significant for the use of smoking cessation services, e-cigarette cravings, and concerns about youth tobacco initiation. Conclusion: Most exclusive e-cigarette users were not likely to quit. Planned cessation was associated with using smoking cessation services, experiencing e-cigarette dependence symptoms, and being concerned about smoking initiation among teenager e-cigarette users.

Smoking cessation using preference-based tools: a mixed method pilot study of a novel intervention among smokers with low socioeconomic position.

BACKGROUND: Compared to smokers with favorable socio-economic position (SEP), those with low SEP are less likely to have a successful smoking cessation attempt. Tailored approaches are therefore needed, and general practitioners could help reaching and assisting usually hard-to-reach population. METHOD: STOP (Sevrage Tabagique à l'aide d'Outils dédiés selon la Préférence) is a pilot study, examining the feasibility, acceptability and potentiality of a smoking cessation intervention centered on smoker's preference. Smokers with low SEP, wishing to quit, were recruited in six healthcare centers in the Greater Paris area. They were asked to choose between different types of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products and/or e-cigarette with liquids delivered free of charge to aid their smoking cessation attempt. We describe the characteristics of recruited participants, their perception of smoking cessation aids, and the evolution of their smoking status 4 to 6 weeks after recruitment. RESULTS: We recruited 49 participants, of which 29% chose an e-cigarette, 29% chose NRT and 42% chose both an e-cigarette and NRT. The intervention was shown to be acceptable by participants and health professionals. Among the 24 participants followed for at least one month, 14 (28% of all participants) stopped smoking, and 9 (18%) considerably reduced their consumption. CONCLUSION: The STOP intervention is feasible and acceptable, even if more efforts should be made to limit lost-to-follow-up. This preference-based intervention also shows interesting prospect in helping smokers with low SEP quit smoking. We will test the efficacy of this preference-based intervention in a randomized controlled trial.

Smoking cessation using preference-based tools among socially disadvantaged smokers: study protocol for a pragmatic, multicentre randomised controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Many smoking cessation aids such as nicotine replacement treatments and e-cigarettes have been proven effective in aiding smoking cessation attempts. Encouraging smokers with low socioeconomic position (SEP) to choose their smoking aid tool based on their preferences, and giving that tool free of charge, might increase the odds of smoking cessation. This trial examines the effectiveness of the 'STOP' (Sevrage Tabagique à l'aide d'Outils dédiés selon la Préférence: Smoking cessation using preference-based tools), a preference-based smoking cessation intervention for smokers with low SEP. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: The STOP study is a randomised, multicentre, controlled trial (RCT). Smokers with low SEP and wishing to quit will be randomised to either the intervention or the control group (standard care). Participants in the intervention group will be asked to choose between different types of nicotine substitutes (patches, inhalers, gum, tablets, etc) and/or an electronic cigarette which will be delivered free of charge to aid their smoking cessation attempt.The primary outcome will be smoking abstinence at 6 months after inclusion, defined as self-reported 7-day point prevalence of tobacco abstinence. Secondary outcomes include the total number of days of abstinence at 6 months after inclusion, 7-day point prevalence tobacco abstinence at 1 and 3 months after inclusion and number of relapses.The study will also include an economic evaluation, and a process evaluation using a mixed methods approach. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study was approved by the 'Île de France II' Institutional Review Board on 8 September 2020 (CPP Île de France II; Ref No: 20.01.31.65528 RIPH2 HPS), and results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT04654585.

Do the associations between the use of electronic cigarettes and smoking reduction or cessation attempt persist after several years of use? Longitudinal analyses in smokers of the CONSTANCES cohort.

INTRODUCTION: We examined whether duration of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use could be associated with smoking reduction or cessation attempt. METHODS: 5,409 current smokers at baseline enrolled in the French CONSTANCES cohort in 2015 or 2016 were included. Duration of e-cigarette use was categorized as follows: never; former user for more than one year; former user for less than one year; new user for less than one year; return to use for less than one year; regular use for one to two years; regular use for more than two years. Two outcomes were considered at one-year of follow-up: change in the number of cigarettes per day and cessation attempt. RESULTS: Compared to never users, former users had an increase in the number of cigarettes per day at follow-up (B = 0.95[95%CI:0.57-1.33] and B = 1.03[95%CI:0.47-1.59] for former users of more than one year and less than one year, respectively). Compared to never users, all categories of current users had a decrease in the number of cigarettes per day (B = -3.31[95%CI:-4.07;-2.54] and B = -4.18[95%CI:-5.06;-3.29] for new users of less than one year and users of more than two years, respectively). Compared to never users, former users had a decreased likelihood of cessation attempt (OR = 0.80[95%CI:0.67-0.95] and OR = 0.77[95%CI:0.60-0.99] for former users of more than one year and less than one year, respectively). Compared to never users, all categories of current users had an increased likelihood of cessation attempt (OR = 3.12[95%CI:2.32;4.19] and OR = 3.36[95%CI:2.39;4.72] for new users of less than one year and users of more than two years, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: E-cigarette use was associated with smoking reduction and cessation attempt for individuals who have used it for less than one year and additional benefits are expected to occur with a longer duration of use. Former users of e-cigarettes had poorer outcomes than those who have never used them.

Effectiveness of the e-Tabac Info Service application for smoking cessation: a pragmatic randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness of the mobile e-Tabac Info Service (e-TIS) application (app) for helping adult smokers quit smoking with current practices. DESIGN: Pragmatic randomised controlled trial with a 1-year follow-up (2017-2018). SETTING: France, population-wide level. PARTICIPANTS: 2806 adult smokers who wished to quit smoking were recruited via the website of the French National Mandatory Health Insurance fund. Of them, 1400 were randomised to the e-TIS app arm and 1406 were randomised to the current practices arm (control). INTERVENTION: The app involved personalised interactive contacts that included questionnaires, advice, activities and text messages. All contacts were individually tailored and based on each smoker's progress.In the control group, recommended practices for quitting smoking were described on a non-interactive website. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURES: The primary outcome was 7-day point prevalence abstinence (PPA) at 6 months. The secondary outcomes included continuous abstinence rates at 6 and 12 months, minimum 24-hour point abstinence at 3 months, minimum 30-day point abstinence at 12 months and number and duration of quit attempts. RESULTS: There was no difference between the e-TIS and control arms for the primary outcome (12.6% vs 13.7% for 7-day PPA at 6 months, p=0.3949, intention-to-treat analysis). However, e-TIS participants with high levels of exposure to the app, which was defined by the completion of at least eight activities or questionnaires, showed higher rates of smoking cessation than the control participants (17.6% vs 12.9% for 7-day PPA at 6 months, p=0.0169, per-protocol analysis). CONCLUSION: Use of the e-TIS app was not associated with a higher rate of smoking cessation. However, high level of exposure to the e-TIS app may have been more effective than current practices. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT02841683.

Predictors of Smoking Cessation Attempt and Continued Abstinence among Low-Income Disabled Smokers: Evidence from the French National Smoking Cessation Cohort CDT-Net.

Background: In France, daily smoking has been highly prevalent among low-income smokers.Objectives: Our aim was to search for factors associated with both continued abstinence and attempting to quit among low-income disabled smokers. Methods: From the French national smoking cessation cohort CDT-net, we included 1624 adults living with disability pension or disabled adult allowance. Our dependent variables (abstainers, attempting to quit among non-abstainers) were used in logistic regressions. Continued abstinence was defined as self-reports of no smoking for more than 28 days and attempting to quit was defined as self-reports of no smoking for less than 28 days; both validated with carbon monoxide < 10 ppm. Results: The average age was 48.5 years, with a predominance of men (55.5%). Achieved continued abstinence was 29.9% and was positively associated with age ≥ 55, history of previous attempts, low-dependence, and number of consultations during follow-up (all p < .05). Depression history, anxiety symptoms and cannabis use were negatively associated with continued abstinence (p < .05). Quit attempts were associated with lower dependence and number of consultations during follow-up. Pharmacological treatments prescribed at inception did not contribute to improve continued abstinence rates but varenicline was found to increase quit attempts unless the number of prescriptions was scarce. Conclusion: Even among low-income disabled smokers, achieving continued abstinence and attempting to quit could be promoted with similar predictors than among affluent smokers. Treatment of anxiety symptoms and specific support for smokers with a depression history could be included in the follow-up of quit attempts.

Interventions brèves aux services d'accueil des urgences pour le trouble de l'usage de l'alcool.

INTRODUCTION: Given the high prevalence of alcohol use disorder (AUD) amongst patients in Emergency Rooms (ER), it is recommended to carry out a systematized screening of at-risk drinkers, followed if necessary by a brief intervention (BI) to prevent AUD-related damages. This intervention has been the subject of numerous efficacy and feasibility studies. The purpose of this review of the literature is to identify optimal strategies for systematic screening and BI that can be deployed in the ER. METHODS: We selected randomized controlled trials, meta-analysis and reviews of the literature published between July 2014 and March 2019 evaluating the effectiveness of BI in the ER on reducing alcohol consumption. RESULTS: Thirteen articles were included. There is a significant heterogeneity of the methodologies used and the interventions carried out. The majority of studies conclude in the effectiveness of BI on reducing alcohol consumption, with however differences between the studies in effect size, and an effectiveness that seems to decrease over time. CONCLUSION: The BI in the ER appears to be effective on reducing alcohol consumption but with a modest effect size and heterogeneity of the interventions tested, so that the optimal modalities of its implementation remain to be defined. Further studies to compare different interventions and identify at-risk subgroups would be needed to optimize the use of BI in the ER.