Smoking cessation support program in Hungary

Background: Smoking is the most important cause of illness and death, mainly related cancer. Our program started in 2012, in the Methodological Centre for Smoking Cessation Support located at the National Koranyi Institute for Tuberculosis and Pulmonology. Our aim was to provide professional, methodological background for individual and group cessation support based at pulmonary care facilities andsupport clients individually or in groups. Materials and methods: We have contacted 5788 individuals. The average was 47 years. We analyzed the data of the support provided by the Call center based on 2014.Success rate of smoking cessation amongst those who received support via our call center.The program operates with trained counsellors, call the client six times proactively and provides counselling in a systematic manners. Results: Most of the clients were based in the countryside, 47% of them who enter the program, displayed the signs of being highly dependent on the substance. We registered 1332 cases, who successfully completed four sessions via phone. Based on our follow up examination, 885 clients reported being non smoker after twelve months. Based on these studies 15,3% success was rate with the phone supported smoking cessation programme. Even though these numbers may not be fully accurate, because we lost contact with some of our clients and our data is based on phone verbal feedback. Conclusion: With our helpline, we could reach a heavily approachable group of people, and we could provide the right kind of support in their fight for quitting smoking, that they might not get from any other sources.