Tobacco use and quit attempts among methadone maintenance clients

Objectives. This study examined tobacco use prevalence, types of tobacco us ed, interest in quitting, and prior quit attempts among persons in methadon e maintenance treatment. Methods. Counselors collected surveys from 84% (550 of 655) of all clients in a 4-county metropolitan area. Results. Most clients (77%) smoked cigarettes. Of the 59 former tobacco use rs, only 6 reported using a cessation pharmacotherapy to quit. Three quarte rs of the current smokers had attempted to quit at least once, with an aver age of 5 attempts. Most smokers (80%) were "somewhat" or "very" interested in quitting. Conclusions. The quit ratio among methadone maintenance treatment clients w as 12%, compared with 50% nationwide. To reduce morbidity and mortality, ce ssation interventions must be developed and disseminated.