The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: To assess changes in Swedish general practitioners (GPs) attitudes towards smoking cessation activities between 1999 and 2003. Further, to assess the effect of a nation-wide quitline on GPs smoking cessation activities.

Methods: A cross-sectional study including a random sample of 967 Swedish GPs answering a questionnaire mailed to their home address in the spring of 2003. When possible, the results of the present study were compared with results from a similar study conducted in 1999 comprising a random sample of 1000 Swedish GPs. Outcome measures comprice self reported activities, perceived barriers for engaging in smoking cessation, and referrals to the quitline.

Results: Answers were retrieved from 621 (64%) GPs. Compared with 1999 GPs had increased their overall smoking cessation activities and were more aware of the complexity of smoking cessation support. Significantly more GPs experienced smoking cessation support as “too time consuming” and preferred to refer smokers to counsellors specialised in smoking cessation. GPs referring patients to the quitline were more likely to be active in other smoking cessation activities. One out of five GPs had advised their patients to use oral smokeless tobacco as means to stop smoking. CONCLUSIONS: A paradigm shift regarding awareness of the complexity of smoking cessation support may be ongoing amongst Swedish GPs. The nation-wide smoking cessation quitline appears to have had a positive effect on GPs engagement in smoking cessation.