Smoking: the use of a saliva test increases the arrest rate of 17% among smokers

The use of a single test for derivatives of nicotine in saliva in smokers engaged in a smoking cessation program, the arrest rate increases from 17% to 8 weeks, according to a study published in the "British Medical Journal".

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the tobacco-related diseases are responsible for 4.9 million deaths each year.

"The dental surgeons often in contact with the population, are in an ideal position to inform and advise their patients about smoking cessation," the authors explain in the introduction to their study. However, according to previous studies, they would be less prepared than their medical colleagues to provide such advice.

Kristian Barnfather, dental surgeon in London (United Kingdom) and Iain Chapple, Professor of Periodontology at the University of Birmingham conducted a study of 100 adult smokers to test the effectiveness of a color saliva test in the judgment or reduction of tobacco.

After filling out a questionnaire on their smoking habits, participants were informed of the health hazards associated with tobacco use and received advice to quit smoking.

Half of the participants were then asked to perform the saliva test whose results were interpreted to it by the practitioner. The presence of nicotine derivatives in saliva was analyzed using the test carried out in 10 minutes, at baseline and 8 weeks later.

Their results show that smokers who did the saliva test have a higher rate of smoking cessation for smokers in the control group (23% versus 7%) and a greater reduction in overall tobacco consumption (68% versus 28% ).

The use of a single test for derivatives of nicotine in saliva in smokers engaged in a smoking cessation program increases the arrest rate of 17% at 8 weeks and reduced tobacco consumption.

The authors found a significant relationship between the perceived effectiveness of the test by smoking and its ability to reduce tobacco consumption or stop smoking.

"The use of a test result with a personal, fast, visual, enhances the effect of oral information on the motivation to quit smoking among smokers," the authors conclude