Objectives The objectives of this review and meta-analysis were twofold: first, to critically evaluate the effectiveness of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)-based interventions relative to standard care or control conditions in promoting smoking abstinence at the end of treatment, and second, to determine abstinence rates at 3 and 6 months of follow-up.
Methods A comprehensive search of electronic databases, including PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Embase, and ClinicalTrials.gov, was conducted for randomized controlled trials published from 2001 to September 2024. Studies evaluating the effect of CBT on abstinence rates among healthy smokers (aged ≥12 years) were included and analyzed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines.
Results Out of 1,514 study records screened, 7 studies (comprising 17 arms and 1,438 participants) met eligibility criteria for inclusion in the final analysis. The pooled analysis revealed that CBT significantly improved smoking abstinence rates, demonstrating a fourfold increase in effectiveness compared to controls (odds ratio [OR], 4.04; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.73–5.99; I2=19%; p<0.00001). Additionally, CBT significantly impacted smoking cessation at 3-month follow-up (OR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.11–2.38; I2=0%; p=0.01) and 6-month follow-up (OR, 2.19; 95% CI, 1.59–3.00; I2=0%; p<0.00001).
Conclusion CBT has demonstrated efficacy in facilitating smoking abstinence, particularly immediately after treatment, with sustained but diminished effects over time. However, robust conclusions on the efficacy of CBT require further studies involving larger sample sizes, diverse geographical regions, and longer follow-up periods.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
The Development and Implementation of a Multimodal Preoperative-specific Smoking Cessation Project Mary Ann Z. de Vera, Rashmi J. Patel, Andrea H. Kline-Simon, Felicia W. Chi, Kelly C. Young-Wolff Journal of PeriAnesthesia Nursing.2026; 41(3): 564. CrossRef
Effectiveness of Workplace-Based Tobacco Awareness Interventions on Quit Readiness Among Bus Drivers: A Randomized Comparative Pilot Trial Gagan Raj, Ankita Jain Cureus.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Protocol for a randomized controlled trial of a cognitive-behavioral therapy–based smoking cessation intervention in incarcerated individuals: The PRISANTABAC Study Mélanie Rome, Xavier Laqueille, Carine Meslot, Katia Illel, Delphine Bourdeau, Lucia Romo Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications.2026; 51: 101643. CrossRef
Objectives
This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of relapse prevention interventions involving behavioral and pharmacological treatment among abstinent smokers.
Methods
This rapid review was conducted using MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, Embase, KMbase, and KoreaMed to identify studies published until June 20, 2020. The participants were abstinent smokers who quit smoking on their own, due to pregnancy, hospitalization, or by participating in a smoking cessation program. We found a systematic review that fit the objective of this study and included 81 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Studies that did not present information on smoking cessation status, had no control group, or used reward-based interventions were excluded. Random effect and fixed effect meta-analyses were used to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). In subgroup analyses, differences between subgroups were verified based on the participant setting, characteristics, intervention type, and intensity.
Results
Following screening, 44 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. The review reported no differences in the success rate of relapse prevention between the behavioral interventions. Pharmacotherapy interventions showed higher success rates (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05−1.26; <i>I</i><sup>2</sup>=40.71%), depending on prior abstinence duration and the drug type. Conclusions: The results indicated that pharmacotherapy has a significant effect on preventing relapse among abstinent smokers.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Hippocampal mtDNA depletion promotes nicotine addiction by suppressing mitochondrial biogenesis through oxidative stress Shuhong Zhang, Hongjuan Wang, Guanglin Liu, Huan Chen, Hongwei Hou Neurobiology of Disease.2026; 222: 107353. CrossRef
Knowledge user involvement is still uncommon in published rapid reviews—a meta-research cross-sectional study Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit, Dominic Ledinger, Christina Kien, Irma Klerings, Emma Persad, Andrea Chapman, Claus Nowak, Arianna Gadinger, Lisa Affengruber, Maureen Smith, Gerald Gartlehner, Ursula Griebler Research Synthesis Methods.2025; 16(6): 876. CrossRef
A Survey of the Clinical Practice of Korean Medicine for Smoking Cessation in Public Health Centers: A Web-Based Survey of Public Health Doctors of Korean Medicine Gyoungeun Park, Jeong-Hyun Moon, Eun-Jung Kim, Byung-Kwan Seo, Yong-Hyeon Baek, Won-Suk Sung Perspectives on Integrative Medicine.2024; 3(1): 45. CrossRef
Objectives
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of behavioral smoking cessation interventions among adolescents.
Methods
MEDLINE, CENTRAL, Embase, CINAHL, KoreaMed, and KMbase were searched from inception to June 2020. Systematic reviews (SRs) or meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were initially searched to perform a rapid SR. After selecting the final SR, RCTs after the publication year of the selected SR were searched. The primary outcome was smoking status after at least 6 months of follow-up, and the secondary outcome was smoking status at 4 weeks. Two reviewers independently assessed the selected studies’ quality using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The meta-analysis utilized a Mantel-Haenszel fixed-effect model reporting the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). The subgroup analysis utilized Cochrane’s Q.
Results
Thirty-two RCTs (11,637 participants) from a single SR were meta-analyzed. After 6 months of follow-up, the intervention group had significantly higher abstinence rates (RR, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.20−1.41; I2=26.46%). At 4 weeks of follow-up, the intervention group also had significantly higher abstinence rates (RR, 1.92; 95% CI, 1.49–2.47; I2=0.00%). The subgroup analysis indicated a significant difference in the abstinence rate according to the study setting and the period between intervention completion and follow-up.
Conclusion
This review showed that adolescent behavioral smoking cessation intervention programs significantly increased abstinence rates compared to the usual care.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Adapting and Implementing a School-Based “Implementation Intentions” Program Within FRESHAIR4Life to Prevent Smoking Initiation Among Adolescents in Greece: A Study Protocol Izolde Bouloukaki, Antonios Christodoulakis, Sevasti Peraki, Floor A. Van Den Brand, Faraz Siddiqui, Theodoros Krasanakis, Antonia Aravantinou-Karlatou, Purva Abhyankar, Siân Williams, Julia van Koeveringe, Rianne MJJ van der Kleij, Ioanna Tsiligianni Healthcare.2026; 14(7): 938. CrossRef
Helping teens quit: A systematic review and network meta-analysis of smoking cessation interventions Kansak Boonpattharatthiti, Kanchana Mueangfa, Natchaya Aiumtanaporn, Chanchanok Koomsri, Junpen Chantara, Teerapon Dhippayom Public Health in Practice.2026; 11: 100789. CrossRef
The transtheoretical model and smoking cessation: findings from a youth-friendly clinic Alkim Oden Akman, Furkan Kalayci, Serap Karakus, Eda Özaydın, Demet Tas BMC Public Health.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Effectiveness of non-pharmacological school-based therapies for cigarette smoking cessation among adolescents in South and Southeast Asian countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis Fahad Ali Mangrio, Penpaktr Uthis, Suwimon Rojnawee, Alicia K Matthews Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2025; 16(3): 195. CrossRef
Effectiveness of Healthcare Interventions on Smoking Cessation in Adolescents in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Narrative Review Janhvi Thakur, Sonali G Choudhari Cureus.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Non-combustible nicotine product cessation interventions in adolescents and young adults: A systematic review Sofie K. Bergman Rasmussen, Charlotta Pisinger Tobacco Use Insights.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Non-pharmacological interventions for smoking cessation: analysis of systematic reviews and meta-analyses Tao Nian, Kangle Guo, Wendi Liu, Xinxin Deng, Xiaoye Hu, Meng Xu, Fenfen E, Ziyi Wang, Guihang Song, Kehu Yang, Xiuxia Li, Wenru Shang BMC Medicine.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Behavioral Interventions for Smoking Cessation in Adolescents: Korea Preventive Services Task Force Guidance Younglee Choi, Cheol Min Lee, Jae Moon Yun, Eon Sook Lee, Seung-Won Oh, Naae Lee, Belong Cho Journal of the Korean Society for Research on Nico.2021; 12(1): 1. CrossRef
Tobacco Control Policy in Period of Epidemic “COVID 19” Eon Sook Lee Journal of the Korean Society for Research on Nico.2021; 12(1): 34. CrossRef