The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: Intervention against tobacco dependence by repeated counseling provided in cancer department to cancer patients and their tobacco dependent healthy escorts .

Methods: Since June 2003 Oncology department of Medical college Hospital Calcutta is implementing ‘Tobacco user identification system' and ‘Counseling clinic' addressed to all tobacco dependent patients and their escorts at every visit. Brief cessation counseling is provided on personalized manner by attending oncologist, when basic information about hazards of smoking and withdrawal effects are provided. Additionally they are addressed in group discussions in weekly ‘counseling clinic'. Individuals who were able to quit after brief counseling (Category 1), unwilling to quit (Category 2) and willing but unable (Category 3) are registered. Category 1 individuals are warned about factors for relapse. For Category 2 special motivational intervention jointly by oncologist and psychologist is provided. Category 3 people are considered for pharmacotherapy.

Results: Since June 2003 to September 2005 out of a total 3564 (M: F = 91: 9) tobacco users counseled, 1686 were cancer patients and remainder their tobacco dependent accompanies. 2867/3564 (80.4%) were smokers and others tobacco chewers. Category 1 individuals were found to be 1872/3564 (52.5%). 987/3564 (27.7%) were Category 2 and 354 of them (35.8%) ultimately quit after repeated counseling. So counseling alone was able to help 2226/3564 (62.45%) to quit tobacco. 705/3564 (19.78%) was categories 3 and was considered for pharmacotherapy. Conclusion : Clinicians can play a major role in ‘quit tobacco' program by counseling alone. Not only patients but their accompanies should be provided counseling for greater impact.