12 years of anti-smoking efforts
It has been 12 years since the U.S. Public Health Service (PHS) issued its
first “Clinical Practice Guideline — Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence.”
T H I S
Yale psychiatrist Stephanie O’Malley played a key role in developing
the 2008 guidelines, which were released by the PHS in Chicago on May 7.
O’Malley, director of the Center for Nicotine and Tobacco Use Research
at Yale, has reviewed some of the lessons learned in more than a decade of
research that went into the guidelines, and offered some insight into what
helps people quit.
Although tobacco prevention programs have been successful in reducing the percentage
of people who smoke, much more needs to be done, she argues.
Here, says O’Malley, are some of the major lessons gleaned from recent
research:
• Effective treatments exist that significantly improve the odds that a
person will successfully quit smoking. Two new approaches that appear to be particularly
effective are the drug varenicline and combinations of medications, such as nicotine
gum and nicotine patch, she says. O’Malley is currently investigating other
combination therapies that may help reduce weight gain associated with quitting
in order to remove this barrier to smoking cessation.
• Telephone quitline counseling is effective, she notes. Connecticut has
a quitline that is free to the public and offers up to four to five phone treatment
sessions, recommendations on the medications, and a series of Quit Guides. The
toll-free phone number for the quitline is (866) 363-4224.
• Counseling and medication are effective alone but more effective together,
says O’Malley, adding that for this reason, smokers should be encouraged
to use both.
• Providing insurance coverage for tobacco dependence increases the likelihood
that a tobacco user will receive treatment and quit successfully. All insurance
plans should include counseling and medications identified as effective by the
Guideline as covered benefits, says the Yale psychiatrist.
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
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Ten appointed members of American Academy of Arts & Sciences
Mathematician Peter Jones named to National Academy of Sciences
Ian Shapiro chosen to join American Philosophical Society
Strobel’s students rediscover sense of scientific ‘wonder’ . .
Yale to celebrate 307th graduation
Summertime at Yale
Scientist Joan Steitz wins nation’s largest prize in medicine
University names 18 future leaders as 2008 World FellowsENDOWED PROFESSORSHIPS
Mary E. Miller named Sterling Professor of the History of Art
Joseph Roach appointed Sterling Professor of Theater
Dr. Madhav Dhodapkar is the new Bunker Professor of Hematology
Dr. Richard Edelson is the first Lerner Professor of Dermatology
Architecture students helping to design Mideast Peace Park
China’s President Hu Jintao meets with participants in . . .
In Yale-led study, astronomers discover nine young galaxies . . .
Research on male mating behavior suggests brains may be unisex . . .
Paul Anastas honored as the founder of ‘green chemistry’
Town-gown partners honored with Elm-Ivy AwardsSCHOOL OF MEDICINE NEWS
Drug addicts can learn to save lives, says researcher
Study: No ‘Hollywood heart attack’ symptoms for most women
Findings suggest eating chocolate may be boon to pregnant women
Early-stage bone cells may offer possible estrogen replacement
Expert assesses lessons from 12 years of anti-smoking efforts
Computer program helps keep drug abusers abstinent, study shows
Noted gastroenterologist named chief medical officer at YMG
Yale Ob/Gyn researchers discuss their work at New Orleans meeting
Symposium on pain management aimed at medical school students
Exhibits explore artist’s Liverpool years, British watercolors
Two student-curated shows focus on the medium of photography
Library creates digital archive of ‘oldest college daily’
Two seniors will study at the University of Cambridge as Gates Scholars
Campus leaders discuss strategies for increasing staff diversity
Former Bucknell chaplain is named new pastor of University Church
Professor Miroslav Volf will co-teach class with . . .
Tony Blair
Council of Masters honors 10 juniors for their scholarship . . .
Conference focuses on ‘Women and Men in the Globalizing University’
The future of ‘Computers, Freedom and Privacy’ to be addressed . . .
Karyn Frick honored for contributions to women’s health
Campus Notes
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