Central Valley and other California smokers nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) furnishing surveys

Schneider, Sara1 ; Song, Anna1 ; Durazo, Arturo1 ; Apollonio, Dorie 2

Research facility: UCSF and UC Merced

Published Jan 21, 2025 on Dryad. https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.v6wwpzh5v

Data files

Jan 21, 2025 version files 64.94 KB

CA_Outside_CV_Survey_Responses.xlsx
43.07 KB
CV_Survey_Responses.xlsx
19.55 KB
README.md
2.32 KB

Abstract

From December 2023 to May 2024, we surveyed California smokers about their awareness of and interest in tobacco cessation provided by pharmacists. Participants were recruited via email and in person. We analyzed participants’ smoking and quitting history, awareness of pharmacist-prescribed NRT, and perceptions of NRT, comparing residents of California’s Central Valley to other regions of the state.

README: Perceptions of pharmacist-furnished nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) among California residents who smoke

Access this dataset on Dryad: https://doi.org/10.5061/dryad.v6wwpzh5v

Brief summary of dataset contents

"Furnishing" describes pharmacists having the authorizing power to prescribe medications including nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). Residents who smoke within California's Central Valley (CV), and California residents who smoke outside the Central Valley, were surveyed about their perceptions of and experiences with pharmacist-furnished NRT. Despite the low risks and high efficacy of NRT for tobacco cessation, participants expressed concerns about perceived side effects, potential for dependency, and a belief that NRT was not useful. Our findings suggest that additional efforts are needed to successfully increase access to pharmacist-provided tobacco cessation services.

Description of the data and file structure

This dataset contains two raw files: (1) "CV_Survey_Responses.xlsx" and (2) "CA_Outside_CV_Survey_Responses.xlsx". The first file contains responses to a survey completed by residents of California's Central Valley (CV) about their opinions and experiences with smoking and vaping, their attitudes towards using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products, and their experiences with and knowledge of NRT furnishing in pharmacies, using closed-ended questions. The second file contains responses to the same survey completed by residents in other regions of California outside the Central Valley.

In both files, summaries of each question participants were asked can be found on row 1, and each question can be found in its entirety on row 2. Missing values indicate that the participant did not respond to the question. Demographic data were removed to protect participant anonymity.

The data indicate that respondents from both groups had few positive perceptions regarding NRT and expressed concerns about perceived side effects and the risk of dependency. Past use of NRT was also associated with lower odds of quitting. Higher cigarette costs, family pressure, and health concerns increased the likelihood of a quit attempt. Respondents had little awareness that pharmacists could assist with tobacco cessation.