Smoking Cessation Intervention Is Effective with Post–Hospital Discharge Follow-Up

Smoking cessation interventions in hospitalized patients can be particularly effective, because the consequences of smoking often are more apparent to patients who are admitted for smoking-related issues. But evidence suggests such interventions are effective only with longer-term outpatient follow-up, which can be expensive. In addition, smoking-cessation medications often are not covered by insurance.

Boston investigators randomized 432 hospitalized adult smokers to a postdischarge treatment program or to usual care (access to a telephone quit line and discharge recommendation for a smoking-cessation medication). Patients were excluded if they were admitted to an obstetrical or psychiatric unit or had substance abuse problems, cognitive im…