COST-EFFECTIVITY OF THE METHODS OF CESSAT ION OF SMOKING

BACKGROUND: The cost-effectivity of the following methods of cessation of smoking were calculated In this study: I) medical advice, 2) medic al advice and nicotine chiclets, and 3) medical advice and nicotine pa tches. METHODS: The costs and effectivity of the methods of cessation of smoking compared in terms of cost per year of life gained, deductin g the costs and benefits at 5%. RESULTS: The cost per year of life gai ned was found to be 260,000 to 434,000 pesetas in males and 441,000 to 637,000 in women for medical advice, 287,000 to 479,000 in males and 486,000 to 703,000 in females for advice and nicotine chiclets and 329 ,000 to 549,000 in males and 557,000 to 805,000 in females for advice and nicotine patches. Maximum efficacy was achieved with the three met hods in the age group from 45-59 years in males and from 50-54 yean in females. On comparison of cost and effectivity of the methods of nico tine substitution with those calculated for medical advice the increas e in cost-effectivity was shown to be 395,000 to 658,000 in males and 668,000 to 966,000 in females for advice and chiclets and from 467,000 to 779,000 in males and 791,000 to 1,142,000 in females for advice an d patches. The increase in cost effectivity for advice and patches ven us advice and chiclets was from 539,000 to 899,000 in males and 913,00 0 to 1,318,000 in females. CONCLUSIONS: The efficiency of achieving th e cessation of smoking is very similar for medical advice and medical advice plus nicotine chiclets and is somewhat less for medical advice and nicotine patches. The results of this study place the methods of s moking cessation among the most effective health care procedures.