The effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions in primary care: a narrative review

Abstract

Background: In Hungary, reducing smoking could lead to significant health gains and cost savings, as 21% of deaths are linked to this activity. Health promotion activities and anti-smoking interventions can be implemented in primary care within the healthcare system. To our knowledge, a detailed Hungarian analysis on the cost-effectiveness of anti-smoking interventions has not yet been published.

Method: Our research involved examining publications in the PUBMED and EMBASE databases from 2010 to 2023. We included studies that presented anti-smoking interventions in primary care and analyzed their cost-effectiveness.

Results: After the screening process, we selected 14 relevant studies for the final sample. The publications included model calculations and analyses based on the results of randomized trials. The interventions included brief interventions, internet-based interventions, telephone cessation support, nicotine replacement therapy, and cytisine therapy. The target population was mostly smokers, but some studies examined specific groups.

Conclusions: Most of the interventions presented in our analysis meet the criteria for cost-effectiveness. Adapting them to the Hungarian healthcare system requires significant work, but with well-chosen interventions, substantial health gains could be achieved with relatively few resources.