Introduction: Underprivileged people smoke more frequently, present with a more severe smoking profile and stop less often than wealthier smokers. They can have difficulties to afford smoking cessation treatments as the French medical insurance coverage system requires smokers to pay it in advance with a later reimbursement. The objective of this study was to compare the characteristics, treatment plans and cessation rates of smokers from disadvantaged population in comparison with smokers in wealthier condition.
Methods: Study population concerned smokers received for a first visit in the smoking cessation service at Georges-Pompidou European Hospital (Paris, France) in 2013. The EPICES score was used to define precariousness. The national file of smoking cessation consultation (CDT) was completed and the nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) prescriptions were detailed, as treatment could be given for free to precarious smokers on a weekly basis. Data were registered in CDTnet, the French national database of smoking cessation services.
Results: Precarious smokers (36.8%) presented with a more severe smoking profile and suffered more often from psychiatric disorders than wealthier smokers. They benefited most often from a combination NRT with patch and oral forms. The followed-up precarious smokers attended a greater number of consultations (4.7 against 3.4) and, if they were less often abstainers (22.2% against 41.3%), they were able to significantly reduce their consumption.
Conclusions: Precarious smokers adhere to structured care with aid for access to TSN with a positive consequent impact on consumption.
Keywords: Assurance maladie; Démunis; Dépendance au tabac; Low-income population; Nicotine replacement products; Sevrage tabagique; Smoking cessation; Social security; Substituts nicotiniques; Tobacco dependence.
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