Smoking cessation interventions in people with HIV/AIDS (Updated 2015)

Key take-home messages

• Tobacco smoking is much more common among people living with HIV than in the general population.
• While most medical providers offer some form of smoking cessation services, AIDS service organizations (ASOs) are less likely to do so.
• The majority of people living with HIV express a desire to learn more about smoking and its impact on their HIV status and medication regimen.
• There are a number of effective smoking cessation interventions. While counselling and medication are both effective as standalone interventions for treating tobacco dependence, they are more effective when used in combination.
• Smoking cessation may be more difficult for people living with HIV because they are often also coping with mental health and substance use issues. As a result, less intensive interventions such as giving advice may not be enough. Some may benefit from more intensive interventions such as repeated counselling, nicotine replacement and psychiatric assistance.

• Population(s)
  • General HIV+ population
• Substance Use
  • Tobacco