The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of NHS stop smoking services

Citation

Bauld L (2010) The effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of NHS stop smoking services. In: All Party Parliamentary Group on Smoking and Health: Inquiry into the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of tobacco control: Submission to the 2010 Spending Review and Public Health White Paper Consultation process. London: Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), pp. 47-50. http://www.ash.org.uk/files/documents/ASH_743.pdf

Abstract
The NHS Stop Smoking Services are effective and cost-effective at reducing smoking prevalence and are also effective at reducing health inequalities. They overwhelmingly provide good value for money compared to all other healthcare interventions. But while success rates are good and the services are highly cost-effective, there is significant variability across services and many more smokers could benefit from their help. What is needed is sustained and continued funding for the services; greater adoption of national standards for delivery and monitoring; better and more consistent training for staff; better systems for referral from the rest of the healthcare system - particularly secondary care; and ongoing promotion by mass media campaigns and social marketing.