The European Tobacco Products Directive (TPD) was introduced in 2016 in an effort to decrease prevalence of smoking and increase cessation in the European Union (EU). This study aimed to explore quitting behaviours, motivation, reasons and perceptions about quitting, as well as predictors (reported before the TPD implementation) associated with post-TPD quit status. A cohort study was conducted involving adult smokers from six EU countries (n = 3195). Data collection occurred pre-(Wave 1; 2016) and post-(Wave 2; 2018) TPD implementation. Bivariate and logistic regression analyses of weighted data were conducted. Within this cohort sample, 415 (13.0%) respondents reported quitting at Wave 2. Predictors of quitting were moderate or high education, fewer cigarettes smoked per day at baseline, a past quit attempt, lower level of perceived addiction, plans for quitting and the presence of a smoking-related comorbidity. Health concerns, price of cigarettes and being a good example for children were among the most important reasons that predicted being a quitter at Wave 2. Our findings show that the factors influencing decisions about quitting may be shared among European countries. European policy and the revised version of TPD could emphasise these factors through health warnings and/or campaigns and other policies.

Introduction: The latest evidence-based Guidelines for Treating Tobacco Dependence highlight the significant role of healthcare professionals in supporting smokers interested to quit. This study aimed to identify the current practices of healthcare professionals in Europe and perceived barriers...

Background: The use of e-cigarettes has increased during the past few years. Exposure to e-cigarette liquids, whether intentional or accidental, may lead to adverse events our aim was to assess factors associated with e-cigarette exposures across European Union Member States (EU MS). Methods:...

Background. Rates of tobacco treatment delivery in primary care are suboptimal. Aims. We report on the effectiveness of the TiTAN Crete intervention on rates of patient-reported 4As (ask, advise, assist, arrange) tobacco treatment and general practitioner’s (GP) knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, and intentions. Methods. A quasi-experimental pilot study with pre-post evaluation was conducted in Crete, Greece (2015-2016). GPs (n = 24) intervention and control group and a cross-sectional sample of their patients (n = 841) were surveyed before the implementation of the intervention. GPs in the intervention group received training, practice, and patient tools to support the integration of the 4As treatment into clinical routines. Intervention group GPs (n = 14) and a second cross-sectional sample of patients (n = 460) were surveyed 4 months following the intervention to assess changes in outcomes of interest. Multilevel modeling was used to analyze data. Results. Among GPs exposed to the intervention, significant increases in knowledge, self-efficacy, and rates of 4As delivery were documented between the pre- and postassessment and compared with those of the control group. Specifically, the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for 4As delivery between the pre-and postassessment among GPs exposed to the TiTAN intervention were as follows: Ask AOR 3.66 (95% CI [2.61, 5.14]); Advise AOR 4.21 (95% CI [3.02, 5.87]); Assist AOR 13.10 (95% CI [8.83, 19.42]) and Arrange AOR 4.75 (95% CI [2.67, 8.45]). Conclusion. We found significant increases in rates at which GPs delivered evidence-based tobacco treatment following exposure to the TiTAN intervention. Future research should examine methods for supporting broader dissemination of well-designed training interventions in general practice.

Background: General political views are rarely considered when discussing public support for tobacco control policies and tobacco use. The aim of this study was to explore potential associations between political views, smoking and support for tobacco control policies. Methods: We analysed...