Evidence for Embedding Smoking and Vaping Cessation Support in Primary Care: A Scoping Review
In brief
Only two primary care studies addressed vaping cessation among 30 reviewed
A review of 30 studies found the strongest support for combining behavioral counseling with medication to help patients quit smoking. Electronic health record prompts, free medication, incentives, and links to screening or spirometry also featured, but evidence for provider education was inconclusive. With just two studies on vaping cessation, the best primary care approach for people who vape remains unclear.
- Journal
- Journal of general internal medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 20 October 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review of cohort studies
- Evidence level
- Level 2, Moderate (CEBM 2a)
- Authors
- Siyuan Wang, Inez Rojas, Emma Dean, Annet C Hoek, Simone Pettigrew
- PMID
- 42902121
- DOI
- 10.1007/s11606-026-10835-3
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Family Practice (paper of the day, 22 October 2026): Primary-care review supports practical smoking cessation interventions
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Smoking is a leading preventable cause of disease, with vaping creating new public health concerns. This review synthesised evidence on interventions and strategies to integrate cessation care into primary healthcare. METHODS: We conducted a systematic scoping review of PubMed and EMBASE for studies published between 19 September 2020 and 19 September 2024. Eligible studies evaluated smoking and/or vaping cessation interventions or implementation strategies in primary care settings in high-income countries (Australia, Canada, EU, UK, USA). Two reviewers independently extracted data on study characteristics, intervention types, outcomes, and abstinence verification. RESULTS: Of 2166 records screened, 30 empirical studies were included. Most focused on smoking cessation, with only two addressing e-cigarette users. The strongest evidence supported multi-component interventions combining behavioural counselling and pharmacological treatments. Implementation strategies included electronic health record prompts, cost-free pharmacotherapy, financial incentives, and integration of cessation support into low-dose computed tomography screening or post-spirometry feedback. Evidence for the effectiveness of provider education was inconclusive. CONCLUSIONS: The evidence supports several interventions and implementation strategies for integrating smoking cessation into primary care, though data on vaping cessation are limited. These findings will inform the development of targeted approaches to enhance cessation support in primary healthcare.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.