The feasibility and utility of using nicotine nasal spray for adolescent smokers who wanted to quit smoking was examined in a cohort of 40 adolescents aged 15–18 years who smoked ≥5 cigarettes/day for ≥6 months. They were randomly assigned to receive either weekly counselling alone (control) for 8 weeks or 8 weeks of counselling plus 6 weeks of nicotine nasal spray. At 12 weeks, no betweengroup differences were observed in cessation rates, the numbers of cigarettes smoked per day, or salivary cotinine levels. Fifty-seven percent of participants stopped using their spray after only 1 week. The most commonly reported adverse effect was nasal irritation and burning (34.8%) followed by complaints about the taste and smell (13%).
A useful paper for those of us working with or supporting ‘smoking cessation’ programmes (GPs, nurses, quit coaches, etc). Adolescents in particular should be supported to quit smoking with therapies that they can sustain. It appears that adolescents are most likely to stop a prescribed treatment fairly early (1 week) and so a recommendation would be to check ‘compliance’ with long-term therapies after 1 week, rather than waiting 3 months for this particular population.
Independent commentary by Dr. Matire Hardwood
Dr Matire Harwood (Ngapuhi) has worked in Hauora Māori, primary health and rehabilitation settings as clinician and researcher since graduating from Auckland Medical School in 1994. She also holds positions on a number of boards, committees and advisory groups including the Health Research Council. Matire lives in Auckland with her whānau including partner Haunui and two young children Te Rangiura and Waimarie.
Research Review publications are intended for New Zealand health professionals.
Disclaimer: This publication is not intended as a replacement for regular medical education but to assist in the process. The reviews are a summarised interpretation of the published study and reflect the opinion of the writer rather than those of the research group or scientific journal. It is suggested readers review the full trial data before forming a final conclusion on its merits.
