Smoking JSNA

Evidence base

This section provides links and a brief summary of a robust evidence base. For example, peer-reviewd studies, systematic revies, evaluations of interventions and best practice guidelines from national sources.

Issue number 1 = highest priority
1	Source	ONS
	Title incl. web link	Making strop smoking medications available and accessible: guidance and resources making stop smoking medications available and accessible v3
	Summary	In 2021, 13.3% of UK adults were current smokers, with higher rates among men (15.1%), young adults (25–34), and those with no qualifications (28.2%) Smoking prevalence is inversely related to education and income, with disadvantaged groups showing lower quit success despite similar quit attempts. The Khan Review warns that the UK may miss its smokefree 2030 target without increased investment and targeted interventions
	Source	NICE
	Title incl. web link	Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence - Cytisine for smoking cessation Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence - Cytisine for smoking cessation
	Summary	NHS services are cost-effective but face challenges: Declining service use despite being up to 4x more effective than quitting unaided. Quit success rates drop significantly over time (e.g., 53% at 4 weeks, 15% at 1 year). Services must be accessible, community-based, and responsive to local needs, especially for high-risk groups
2	Source	NICE
	Title incl. web link	Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence Overview \| Tobacco: preventing uptake, promoting quitting and treating dependence \| Guidance \| NICE
	Summary	NICE highlights that smoking cessation success is lower among certain groups due to barriers like addiction severity, mental health, and social disadvantage. Recommendations include: Tailored behavioural support and first-line pharmacological aids (e.g., combination NRT, varenicline, cytisinicline). Support for people not ready to quit in one go, including harm reduction strategies. Mass-media campaigns, school-based interventions, and community outreach to prevent uptake
	Source	The British Association of Dental Nurses
	Title incl. web link	NICE Guidelines NG209: Tackling Tobacco Use and Promoting Quitting NICE Guidelines NG209: Tackling Tobacco Use and Promoting Quitting
	Summary	Common barriers across vulnerable groups: Stress management, lack of provider support, and high social acceptability of smoking. Unique barriers: Mental illness: fear of symptom worsening. Homelessness: competing priorities. Prisoners: restrictive environments. Youth: easy access to tobacco and peer pressure. Interventions must address individual, community, and systemic levels
3	Source	BMC Public Health
	Title incl. web link	Association of cigarette smoking, smoking cessation with the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in the UK Biobank Association of cigarette smoking, smoking cessation with the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity in the UK Biobank \| BMC Public Health \| Full Text
	Summary	Smoking significantly increases the risk of cardiometabolic multimorbidity (CMM), including: Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, stroke, and hypertension. Quitting smoking before age 35 reduces the risk of CMM by up to 76.5%. Smokers who quit before age 30 can gain 8–9 years of life expectancy
	Source	OHID
	Title incl. web link	Smoking and tobacco: applying All Our Health Smoking and tobacco: applying All Our Health - GOV.UK
	Summary	Smoking causes harm to nearly every organ and is linked to: Lung, throat, bladder, kidney, liver, and cervical cancers Cardiovascular disease, stroke, and respiratory illness Pregnancy complications including miscarriage, stillbirth, and low birth weight In 2022–2023, there were 408,700 smoking-related hospital admissions in England. Smoking is a major contributor to health inequalities, especially in deprived communities and among people with mental health conditions.