A multi-component intervention for smoking cessation among Australian male prison inmates

Primary Research Stream

Inmate health

Full Project Title

A multi-component intervention for smoking cessation among Australian male prison inmates.

Project Period

2005 to 2009

Rationale / Background

An NHMRC funded project extending a pilot of a multi-component smoking cessation strategy conducted with the research arm of Justice Health

Aim and Objectives

Evaluate the effectiveness of a combined intervention for smoking cessation among a group of male prison inmates and identify predictors of success.

Method and Study Design

An RCT where Group I will receive active nortriptyline (NOR) and group II will receive placebo NOR. Both groups will receive cognitive behavioural therapy, active nicotine patch, an anti-stressor package and access to the Quitline.

Key Findings (to Date)

1. Established access to the Quitline for all prisoners in NSW. This is a very significant achievement in advancing the health of NSW prisoners. We are also hoping that a similar arrangement can be made for prisoners in WA.
2. NSW Quitline has agreed to provide a staff member to provide face to face CBT for each project participant.
3. Obtained permission from the Department of Corrective Services and NSW Justice Health to recruit participants for our study from most NSW prisons.

Publications and Resources

1. Butler T, Richmond R, Belcher J, Wilhelm K, Wodak A. Should smoking be banned in prisons? Tobacco Control. 2007; 16;291-293
2. Richmond R, Butler T, Belcher J, Wodak A, Wilhelm K, Baxter E. Promoting smoking cessation among prisoners: feasibility of a multi-component intervention. Australian & New Zealand Journal of Public Health 2006.
3. Baker A, Jackson-Pulver L, Ivers R, Bowman J, Butler T, Wye P, Walsh R, Richmond R, Belcher J, Wilhelm K, Wodak A. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire: High prevalence of smoking among some sub-populations. Drug and Alcohol Review. 2006: 25; 85-96
4. Belcher J, Butler T, Richmond R, Wilhelm K, Wodak A. Smoking and its correlates in an Australian prisoner population. Drug & Alcohol Review 2005; 25:343-348.
5. Richmond R, Taylor R, Debono D. Breakfree: Inmate Quit Smoking Program. NSW Department of Health, 2006