Association between different nicotine replacement therapy regimens and 6-month smoking cessation success: An implementation study

Objectives: To conduct an implementation study by using data from Taiwan’s Second Generation Smoking Cessation Service to explore the associations between different nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) regimens and smoking cessation success in the real world. Methods: Data on initial NRT treatment sessions from January 1, 2020, to June 30, 2022, were included. Propensity score matching was applied to obtain a 1:1:1 sample. The exposure variables were three NRT types: Long-acting NRT alone, short-acting NRT alone, and combined long-acting and short-acting NRT. The outcome variable was smoking cessation at the 6-month mark. Logistic regression was performed using generalized estimation equations. Results: A total of 26,604 NRT treatment sessions were included. The 6-month cessation prevalence was 19.86%. After adjustment for potential confounders, short-acting NRT alone (odds ratio [OR] = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.07–1.25) and combined NRT (OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.12–1.31) were both associated with higher odds of cessation success when compared with long-acting NRT alone. However, the short-acting oral inhaler did not reach statistical significance (OR = 1.03, 95% CI: 0.85–1.25). A significant interaction was detected between age and NRT type; compared with long-acting NRT alone, short-acting NRT alone and combined NRT were more effective in users aged 18–44. Conclusions: The finding that combined NRT is more effective than longacting NRT alone is consistent with the results of previous randomized controlled trials. However, this study also revealed that short-acting NRT alone is more effective than long-acting NRT alone, particularly among users aged 18–44 years. This work was funded by the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare. The content of this research may not represent the opinion of the Health Promotion Administration, Ministry of Health and Welfare.