Evaluation of Tobacco Cessation Rates Among Veterans in a Pharmacist-Run Smoking Cessation Clinic

Objective: To determine if there was a significant increase in cessation rates over a 6-month time frame with a pharmacist-managed smoking cessation clinic. Methods: This single-center, prospective study recruited veterans via ICD-10 diagnosis codes for nicotine/tobacco dependence to participate in a clinical pharmacy practitioner (CPP)–run smoking cessation clinic. To aid cessation efforts, participants were offered pharmacotherapy, behavioral modifications, and frequent follow-up appointments. Once a participant demonstrated tobacco-free success for 6 months, the veteran was eligible for discharge from the clinic. Patient visits were conducted between December 2020 and October 2021. Data were analyzed using intention-to-treat principle. Results: A total of 54 participants were screened, of which 29 met the inclusion criteria. Eleven participants withdrew from the study, as they were no longer willing to quit smoking. Thirty-eight percent (n = 11) of the enrolled participants achieved complete tobacco cessation by the end of the study, with 31% (n = 9) achieving the primary endpoint of tobacco cessation for 6 months. Seventeen percent (n = 5) of participants maintained ≥ 50% reduction in tobacco use. One participant increased the amount of tobacco used since the initial visit. Conclusions: Providing pharmacotherapy, behavioral counseling, and frequent follow-up visits may result in higher numbers of tobacco-free patients. Expanding pharmacist-run smoking cessation clinics may result in an increase in cessation rates in the veteran population.