Stop-Smoking Medication Use, Subsidization Policies, and Cessation in Canada

Abstract

Introduction: In 2000, Quebec began reimbursing stop-smoking medications (SSMs) through their provincial public drug insurance plan. Several other Canadian provinces have since begun offering SSM subsidies. Clinical trials indicate that SSMs can increase quit success; however, little evidence exists on patterns of use in "real-world" settings and impact on population quit rates. This study examines Canadian trends in SSM use and quit success over time, comparing provinces with differing subsidization policies.

Methods: Secondary analyses were conducted in 2014 using nationally representative Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey data, 2004-2012, for current and former smokers who made a quit attempt in the past 2 years (N=26,094). Regression models tested for differences in SSM use and quit success in provinces with differing SSM coverage (i.e., none, partial, or comprehensive).

Results: Smokers were more likely to use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in jurisdictions with comprehensive SSM coverage versus jurisdictions with partial (OR=1.39, 95% CI=1.22, 1.59) or no coverage (OR=1.43, 95% CI=1.21, 1.68). Prescription medication use was more likely in provinces with partial (versus no) coverage (OR=1.27, 95% CI=1.01, 1.59). Overall, smokers who attempted to quit were more likely to remain abstinent in jurisdictions with comprehensive versus partial (OR=1.20, 95% CI=1.12, 1.28) or no coverage (OR=1.23, 95% CI=1.00, 1.50). An interaction between coverage and cigarettes per day was observed, suggesting potentially greater impact of comprehensive coverage among heavier smokers.

Conclusions: Comprehensive subsidization policies are associated with modest increases in NRT use and quit success, but do not appear to impact prescription SSM use.