INTERNATIONAL NETWORK TOWARDS SMOKE-FREE HOSPITALS NICOTINE
Nicotine-containing Chewing Gum as an anti-
Psychopharmacologia 1973 31 191-200
REPLACEMENT
Smoking cessation in the workplace: results of
intervention programme using nicotine patches
Occupational Medicine 2001 51 501-6
Cochrane Database 2002 4 CD000146 Update
THERAPY AND BUPROPION
Smith L. and Fowler G. Nicotine should be prescribed on the NHS
Patient Fact Sheet for Nurse Practitioners
Nursing Standard 2002 November 20-26 17 (10)
Their Place in Smoke-Free Hospital Policies
Fioree M.C., Bailey W.C., Cohen S.J. et al
Treating tobacco use and dependence: clinical
Self-help interventions for smoking cessation
Cochrane Database 2002 CD001118 Review
Rockville, Md: US Department of Health andHuman Services 2000
Campaign Guidance Leaflet No. 3
Efficiency of nicotine lozenges for smoking
National Institute for Clinical Excellence.
Guidance on the use of nicotine replacement
International Network Towards Smoke-Free Hospitals
Brit J. Community Nursing 2002 7 202-5
cessationLondon, England NICE Technology 2002 NICETechnology Appraisal Guidance No. 39THE INTERNATIONAL NETWORK EFFECTIVE HEALTH CARE INTERVENTIONS TOWARDS SMOKE-FREE HOSPITALS
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and bupropion are now accepted as helpful for people wanting tostop smoking. When used with support effectiveness can be further increased. They therefore have a placein smoke-free hospital policies as methods appropriate to offer staff and patients.
United Kingdom Registered Charity Number 1004061
Both assist people to escape from their addiction. NRT enables the individual to cope with cravings for
The International Network Towards Smoke-Free Hospitals is a non-governmental organization,
nicotine by giving nicotine in a different form from that in cigarettes. Withdrawal symptoms are thus
financed by voluntary contributions and registered in the United Kingdom as a charity,
reduced. Bupropion is a sustained release drug which is presumed to work directly on the brain pathways
which is devoted to promoting smoke-free hospitals world wide.
involved in addiction and withdrawal, although the exact mechanism is unclear.
Currently there is insufficient evidence to recommend the use of NRT and bupropion in combination.
The Network is grateful for the help with the cost of printing this guide from GlaxoSmithKline.
Authoritative agencies have recommended that smokers should use NRT when trying to quit smoking. It
45 Brooskcroft, Linton Glade, Croydon, United Kingdom CRO 9NA
has been shown to double the chances of giving up smoking when compared with a placebo, regardless
Telephone: +44 208 651 5436 (in the UK: 020 8651 5436)
of any other intervention. The Cochrane Library review of NRT for smoking cessation, issued in 2003,
Facsimile: +44 208 651 3428 (in the UK: 020 8651 3428)
indeed states: ‘The effectiveness of NRT appears to be largely independent of the intensity of additionalsupport provided to the smoker.’ It is generally accepted that back up from professionals should be offered
with NRT or bupropion: this can be provided in smoke-free hospital policies. For success each aidrequires a desire to give up smoking on the part of the individual. INTERNATIONAL NETWORK TOWARDS SMOKE-FREE HOSPITALS INTERNATIONAL NETWORK TOWARDS SMOKE-FREE HOSPITALS
The American Lung Association reiterated its
among the most effective of all health care
ABOUT NRT. ABOUT BUPROPION.
endorsement of NRT in January, 2003.
NRT was introduced to provide a background level
Bupropion is a sustained release drug for smoking
Health Canada considers that clinical trials have
The United Kingdom's Health Department has
of nicotine that reduces craving and withdrawal. It
cessation. It is a relatively weak but selective
shown the NRT patch to be effective in helping
entered into an agreement with the manufacturers
replaces the intake of nicotine from cigarettes with
inhibitor of the neuronal up-take of dopamine and
some individuals to stop smoking, particularly
of NRT products. This agreement allows the
low dose nicotine which goes into the body
when used in combination with counselling,
government to recoup some of its investment if the
differently from the nicotine from cigarettes. And it
cessation programmes and other support.
market grows beyond certain levels. As a result the
Some smokers who cannot give up smoking by
does not contain the other 40 known carcinogens
more local health services invest up front in these
using NRT are able to do so using bupropion. And
The British National Institute for Clinical
in tobacco smoke or the cigarette smoke’s
smoking cessation products, the more they will get
vice versa. So the two methods separately (but not
Excellence recommended NRT and bupropion for
back to reinvest in smoking prevention.
smokers who have expressed a desire to quit
It is a crutch to help the individual through the
smoking, in its Guidance on the use of NRT andRisks? Because the most clinically important
withdrawal symptoms of smoking, which can be
bupropion for Smoking Cessation, issued in March
adverse events associated with bupropion are
used less and less and be finally disposed of as the
2002. ‘Both bupropion and NRT are considered
seizures (they occur in about 1 in a 1000 patients),
dependency decreases and ceases. By reducing the
it should not be prescribed for smokers with a
withdrawal symptoms associated with smoking it
current seizure disorder or history of seizures. USEFUL WEB SITES
helps people to resist the desire to smoke.
Pregnant or breast feeding women should not be
There are a number of forms of delivery of NRT. To
National Institute for Clinical Excellence:
date there is no evidence that one form of NRT is
United Kingdom Department of Health
• NICOTINE PATCHES placed on the skin release a
USEFUL REFERENCE
rate controlled supply of nicotine. They are
Cochrane Library
available in 16-hour and 24-hour forms.
• NICOTINE GUM provides nicotine for absorption
Intervention for smoking cessation in hospital
Canadian Cessation Programme
through the lining of the mouth. Clinical trials
www.hc-sc.gc.ca/hecs-sesc/tobacco/prof/cessation_program/other_opt_en.html
show that, when used with some type of support,
American Lung Association
• NICOTINE NASAL SPRAY. Nicotine going in
through the lining of the nose is absorbed fast and
Higher dosage nicotine patches increase one year
www.lungusa.org/tobacco/replacement_ factsheet99.html
so the spray is suited to people experiencing
smoking cessation rate. Collaborative European
severe withdrawal symptoms or who have high
www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier***4615
• NICOTINE TABLET dissolves under the tongue.
• NICOTINE LOZENGES are mint flavoured, to
USEFUL FACT SHEET
make them more acceptable for keeping in themouth, while their nicotine is released slowly.
The Nursing Standard produced a brief but comprehensive patient fact sheet on NRT which
How effective is Nicotine Replacement Therapy in
can be freely photocopied to give to patients. Any risks? Professionals advising on NRT need to
balance possible contraindications for certain
The reference is: Nursing Standard, November 20, volume 17, number 10. 2002.
groups with the harm which would be associatedwith the individual continuing to smoke without
The groups needing caution about the use of NRT
‘Both bupropion and NRT are considered to be among the most cost effective of all
include persons with cardiovascular disease,
healthcare interventions.‘ -National Institute for Clinical Excellence, advisory body for Britain’s
hyperthyroidism, diabetes mellitus, severe renal or
hepatic impairment and peptic ulcer. And pregnant
Patient smoking cessation - treatment strategies
Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology & Biological Psychiatry xx (2006) xxx – xxxPsychological traits and platelet monoamine oxidase activity in eatingdisorder patients: Their relationship and stabilityIris Podar a,⁎, Maiken Jaanisk a,b, Jüri Allik a, Jaanus Harro a,ba Department of Psychology, University of Tartu, Tiigi 78, Tartu 50410, Estoniab The Estonian Centre of Behaviora