Evidence for Embedding Smoking and Vaping Cessation Support in Primary Care: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND

Smoking is a leading preventable cause of disease, with vaping creating new public health concerns. This review synthesised evidence on interventions and strategies to integrate cessation care into primary healthcare.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic scoping review of PubMed and EMBASE for studies published between 19 September 2020 and 19 September 2024. Eligible studies evaluated smoking and/or vaping cessation interventions or implementation strategies in primary care settings in high-income countries (Australia, Canada, EU, UK, USA). Two reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, intervention types, outcomes, and abstinence verification.

RESULTS

Of 2166 records screened, 30 empirical studies were included. Most focused on smoking cessation, with only two addressing e-cigarette users. The strongest evidence supported multi-component interventions combining behavioural counselling and pharmacological treatments. Implementation strategies included electronic health record prompts, cost-free pharmacotherapy, financial incentives, and integration of cessation support into low-dose computed tomography screening or post-spirometry feedback. Evidence for the effectiveness of provider education was inconclusive.

CONCLUSIONS

The evidence supports several interventions and implementation strategies for integrating smoking cessation into primary care, though data on vaping cessation are limited. These findings will inform the development of targeted approaches to enhance cessation support in primary healthcare.