Smoking cessation

The health risks of cigarettes are largely documented, and, together with the addictive properties of smoking, there is clearly a need to assist current smokers to stop. UKCTCS will drive a portfolio of research into effective methods of helping smokers give up tobacco. Methods include:

Cessation services, such as helplines offering counselling and support.
Educational material such as pamphlets and publications warning users of tobacco of the health risks
Nicotine Replacement therapy (NRT) and pharmaceutical products

For more information on types of NRT and pharmaceuticals (drugs) available, see our 'supporting smokers' page.
The work will also include evaluation of existing support provided to smokers.

The Centre research leads for this topic are:
Professor R West, Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London
Professor P Hajek, Tobacco Dependence Research Unit, Queen Mary University, London

Centre researchers are involved in the following projects:

Relapse prevention in NHS stop smoking services: current practice, potential effectiveness and cost effectiveness.
A McNeill, University of Nottingham. Duration: April 2007 - December 2009

Evaluation of a drop in rolling group model for smoking cessation: The 'Fag Ends service'.
L Bauld, University of Bath. Duration: December 2008 - August 2010

Rapid reduction versus abrupt quitting for smokers who want to stop soon: a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial.
P Aveyard, University of Birmingham. Duration: January 2009 - December 2011

Tabex smoking cessation (TASC) trial.
R West, University College London. Duration: February 2006 - January 2009

A comprehensive evaluation of the impact of English tobacco policy on smoking cessation activities.
S Lewis, University of Nottingham. Duration: July 2008 - June 2010

A study to explore spontaneous smoking cessation and develop ways of promoting spontaneous quit attempts.
S Lewis, University of Nottingham. Duration: May 2007 - May 2010

Exploration of spontaneous smoking cessation, and development of ways to support and promote the success of spontaneous quit attempts.
R Murray, University of Nottingham. Duration: October 2007 - September 2010

The PORTSSS/Stop Together Trial: comparing different methods of support with stopping smoking offered through the NHS Smoking helpline [Find out more]
T Coleman, University of Nottingham. Duration: December 2008 - October 2010

Management of smokers motivated to quit in General Practice: an exploratory study.
T Coleman, University of Nottingham. Duration: April 2007 to November 2008

Effects of policies to reduce the supply of illicit tobacco upon UK smokers: A PhD studentship
A McEwen, University College London / A McNeill, University of Nottingham. Duration 2008 - 2011

Effects of varenicline and cytisine on tobacco withdrawal (PhD studentship, Queen Mary University of London; 2008-2011)

Cancer rehabilitation for smoking related cancers (PhD studentship, University of Birmingham; 2008-2011)

Prevention of weight gain after smoking cessation (PhD studentship, University of Birmingham; 2008-2011)

Recent grants awarded

Funder: Nottingham City Primary Care Trust
Proposal: Smoking in a community in Nottingham [find out more]
Amount: £247,281
Duration: February 2009 – December 2010
Principal applicant: A McNeill (University of Nottingham) Other applicants from Universities of Nottingham, Stirling, Nottingham Trent and Open.

Funder: Society for the Study of Addiction
Proposal: Survey data on tobacco dependence treatment guidelines and treatment systems in 45 countries, and on progress in tobacco control in 30 European countries since 2005
Amount: £23,578
Principal applicant: Dr Martin Raw. Other applicants: Rigotti N, McNeill A (University of Nottingham), Joossens L.

Funder: Cancer Research UK
Proposal: The impact of smokefree legislation on the management of smoking in primary care
Duration: October 2008 – September 2011
Principal applicant(s): T Coleman, S Lewis, A McNeill (all University of Nottingham)

Funder: Cancer Research UK
Proposal: A pragmatic randomized controlled trial of physical activity as an aid to smoking cessation
Amount: £1,182,613
Duration: 2008 to 2011
Principal applicant: Ussher M. Co-applicants: P Aveyard (University of Birmingham), T Coleman (University of Nottingham), B Marcus, P Barton, I Manyonda, B Lewis, R West (University College London)

Funder: Department of Health
Proposal: PORTSSS Trial (evaluation and randomised controlled trial of implementing proactive telephone counselling for smokers)
Amount: £290 000
Duration: June 2008 – December 2009
Principal applicant: T Coleman (University of Nottingham)

Funder: Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation
Proposal: Evaluation of a drop in rolling group model for smoking cessation.
Amount: £91 512
Duration: December 2008 – August 2010
Principal applicant: L Bauld (University of Bath)

Funder: NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme
Proposal: Computer and other electronic aids for smoking cessation: a systematic review
Amount: £113 769
Duration: April 2009 to April 2010
Principal applicant: Dr Marcus Munafo. Co-applicants: P Aveyard (University of Birmingham), L Bauld (University of Bath)

Funder: British Heart Foundation
Proposal: Rapid reduction versus abrupt quitting for smokers who want to stop soon: a randomised controlled non-inferiority trial.
Amount: £151 701
Duration: January 2009 – December 2011
Applicants: P Aveyard (University of Birmingham), R West (University College London)

Funder: Pfizer
Proposal: Randomised trial of varenicline pre-treatment.
Amount: £120 000
Duration: November 2008 – November 2009
Principal applicant: P Hajek (Queen Mary University of London)

Funder: City and Hackney Primary Care Trust (London)
Proposal: Setting up and evaluating a smoking cessation service for inpatients at mental health units
Amount: £15 000
Duration: September 2008 – February 2009
Principal applicant: P Hajek (Queen Mary University of London)

Funder: Pfizer
Proposal: Contribution to Smoking Toolkit Study.
Amount: £170,000
Duration: 2007-2008
Principal applicant: R West (University College London)

Funder: GlaxoSmithKline
Proposal: Contribution to Smoking Toolkit Study.
Amount: £50,000
Duration: 2008
Principal applicant: R West (University College London)

Funder: City and Hackney Primary Care Trust (London)
Proposal: Running and evaluation of City & Hackney Specialist Smoking Cessation Service
Amount: £240 000
Duration: April 2009 – March 2012
Principal applicant: P Hajek (Queen Mary University of London)

Funder: Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust (London)
Proposal: Running and evaluation of Tower Hamlets Specialist Smoking Cessation Service
Amount: £582 000
Duration: April 2009 – March 2012
Principal applicant: P Hajek (Queen Mary University of London)

Funder: Tower Hamlets Primary Care Trust (London)
Proposal: Reaching smokers with psychiatric illness in the community: Role of NRT pre-treatment and incentives
Amount: £45 000
Duration: July 2008 – March 2010
Principal applicant: P Hajek (Queen Mary University of London)