Family Support and Employment as Predictors of Smoking Cessation Success: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial of Nicotine Sublingual Tablets in Chinese Smokers

Background: The purpose of this study is to assess social support and demographic factors that influence the success of smoking cessation aided with sublingual nicotine tablets in a Han Chinese population. Methods: We randomly allocated 211 Beijing residents who smoked ≥ 10 cigarettes a day for at least 1 year into a double-blind, placebo-controlled 3-month randomized smoking cessation trial using sublingual nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Self-reports of sustained smoking cessation were verified during the study by expired carbon monoxide concentrations and urine-cotinine concentrations. Logistic regression analysis used an intent to treat sample for sociodemographic associations with abstinence and reduction in smoking. Results: The abstinence rates at the end of treatment for NRT vs. placebo were 52 % vs .19%, and smoking reduction (reduced to at least 50% of baseline) rates for NRT vs. placebo were 43% vs .15% for a total response rate with NRT of 95% for either stopping completely or reducing smo...