SMOKING INTERVENTION IN SUBJECTS AT RISK OF ASBESTOS-RELATED LUNG-CANCER

A smoking intervention counseling program was applied among asbestos-e xposed male smokers younger than 65 years of age to examine the effect of an intervention based on risk communication. Intervention subjects (n = 431) were invited to a health status checkup combined with physi cian-delivered smoking intervention counseling. Control subjects (n = 141) received no intervention. After 1 year 5% of the responders in th e intervention group, versus 3.4% in the control group, had stopped sm oking. Corresponding conservative estimates were 3.5% and 2.6%, respec tively The quitters had been exposed to a higher ''dose'' of asbestos but had smoked less, and for a shorter period than had the continuing smokers. Counseling by a general physician increased successful quitti ng threefold, compared to counseling by a physician in a specialized i nstitution. These results suggest a potential for smoking cessation am ong subjects at high risk of lung cancer due to asbestos exposure. Gen eral practice care may be an appropriate setting both for identificati on of such subjects and for intervention. (C) 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.