CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Approach to current smokers with obstructive lung disease in tertiary outpatient department in Croatia
1
Clinic for Respiratory Diseases, University Hospital Center Zagreb, Croatia
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2026;12(Supplement 1):A8
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND-AIM:
BackgroundTobacco consumption in Croatia is among the highest in Europe, and in recent years the growing number of daily smokers have become dual users combining cigarettes and novel tobacco products. In this setting, continuity of action is paramount and respiratory specialists dealing with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) are in the unique position to advise and help patients to quit. The aim was to retrospectively study the current approach to smoking cessation in the outpatient department for obstructive lung diseases in a tertiary center in Croatia.
METHODS:
Methods Retrospective, observational analysis assessed 400 random electronic medical records of COPD patients in 2025. We have analysed the data on current smoking, novel tobacco product use, quitting attempts, as well as quitting advice and assistance, including the follow-up.
RESULTS:
Results Of 400 records obtained, 224 (56%) COPD patients were current smokers with smoking history ranged from 20 to 168 pack years, 136 (34%) succeeded in quitting, but for 10% of patients the information was missing. Of all current smokers with COPD, just 2% were asked about vaping and only 7% about previous attempts to quit. Advice to stop was written in 36%, but concrete help with medication, psychological support and/or structured quitting programme in 7% of smokers. Among sustained quitters, 5% were asked about the level of certainty in maintaining abstinence. Interestingly, only 25% of current smokers with COPD along with 29% of the ex-smokers were referred to national screening programme for lung cancer.
CONCLUSIONS:
Conclusions. Our study reveals significant gaps in everyday physician practices related to smoking in COPD patients with missed opportunity to briefly ask, advise and offer structured help. It highlights the need for repeated peer-to peer education and motivation related to all emerging forms of tobacco dependence.
BackgroundTobacco consumption in Croatia is among the highest in Europe, and in recent years the growing number of daily smokers have become dual users combining cigarettes and novel tobacco products. In this setting, continuity of action is paramount and respiratory specialists dealing with chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) are in the unique position to advise and help patients to quit. The aim was to retrospectively study the current approach to smoking cessation in the outpatient department for obstructive lung diseases in a tertiary center in Croatia.
METHODS:
Methods Retrospective, observational analysis assessed 400 random electronic medical records of COPD patients in 2025. We have analysed the data on current smoking, novel tobacco product use, quitting attempts, as well as quitting advice and assistance, including the follow-up.
RESULTS:
Results Of 400 records obtained, 224 (56%) COPD patients were current smokers with smoking history ranged from 20 to 168 pack years, 136 (34%) succeeded in quitting, but for 10% of patients the information was missing. Of all current smokers with COPD, just 2% were asked about vaping and only 7% about previous attempts to quit. Advice to stop was written in 36%, but concrete help with medication, psychological support and/or structured quitting programme in 7% of smokers. Among sustained quitters, 5% were asked about the level of certainty in maintaining abstinence. Interestingly, only 25% of current smokers with COPD along with 29% of the ex-smokers were referred to national screening programme for lung cancer.
CONCLUSIONS:
Conclusions. Our study reveals significant gaps in everyday physician practices related to smoking in COPD patients with missed opportunity to briefly ask, advise and offer structured help. It highlights the need for repeated peer-to peer education and motivation related to all emerging forms of tobacco dependence.
| eISSN: | 2459-3087 |
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