In April 1996 the United States Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR) published clinical guidelines for smoking cessation which recommend a 'stepped care' approach in which the intensity of the intervention matches the smoker's motivation and level of dependency. ASH Scotland and the Health Education Board for Scotland (HEBS) drafted a joint response to the document.
In November 1997, academics, policy makers and smoking cessation practitioners met to discuss smoking cessation in Scotland. The meeting was led by Dr Martin Raw, University of London, and members considered evidence about nicotine addiction, the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of interventions, inequalities in tobacco use and the resource implications for Scotland.
A paper summarising the working group's conclusions and recommendations was produced, taking into account comments from the seminar participants. This final document has been produced as a joint ASH Scotland/HEBS policy on evidence-based smoking cessation interventions. The next step will be to develop an effective national cessation strategy within the wider context of a tobacco control strategy for Scotland.
Wendy Ugolini, Sheila Duffy, Maureen Moore
ASH (Scotland)
Sally Haw, Dr John Logan, Dr James Inglis
HEBS