Evaluation of the effectiveness of the smoking cessation program at the university hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão in São Luís-MA

Abstract

Objective: To describe and evaluate the effectiveness of the smoking cessation program at the University Hospital of the Federal University of Maranhão (HU-UFMA), in São Luís, MA, and to identify the number of individuals who successfully quit tobacco use. The study also analyzed whether participants used pharmacological and non-pharmacological therapies and assessed strategies that could help and motivate others to quit smoking. Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study that analyzed individuals who attended the HU-UFMA smoking cessation program at least once, from the program’s inception in 2018 until June 2025. Results: A total of 35 participants met the inclusion criteria and were analyzed. The results revealed that the majority were female (54.3%), with an average smoking burden of 41.1 pack-years and low nicotine dependence (28.6%). Most participants used both pharmacological treatment (82.9%) and non-pharmacological approaches (57.1%). During the study period, 62.8% successfully quit smoking. Conclusion: This study contributes to understanding the effectiveness of the program, highlighting measures that supported participants in the tobacco cessation process and providing information that may motivate others to quit smoking.