Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41160307›Full record

SynthesisThe European journal of health economics : HEPAC : health economics in prevention and care2026

Breaking the habit: a systematic review of the cost-effectiveness of non-pharmacological and combined interventions for smoking cessation in Europe.

Alexander Braun, Walter Hyll, Eva Krczal

Abstract readSystematic Review
In one paragraph

Synthesis in The European journal of health economics : HEPAC : health economics in prevention and care, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

3 authors.

Alexander BraunCentre for Evidence-based Health Services Research, University of Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria. alexander.braun@donau-uni.ac.at.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-0310-8688
Walter HyllDepartment for Economy and Health, University of Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria.
Eva KrczalDepartment for Economy and Health, University of Continuing Education Krems, Krems, Austria.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8030-8819

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSmoking is one of the main causes of preventable disease and premature death. While existing evidence syntheses the cost-effectiveness of smoking cessation interventions for hospitalized patients and high-risk groups such as pregnant women or children, the evidence on the cost-effectiveness of non-pharmacological interventions for the general population remains relatively underdeveloped.

methodsA systematic literature review was performed using MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and NHS Health Economic Evaluation Database along with grey literature, pre-prints, and HTA reports.

resultsA total of 9,541 abstracts were screened, with 23 studies meeting the eligibility criteria. These studies focused on four main intervention types (i) face-to-face counseling, (ii) digital/telephone counseling, (iii) reimbursement, and (iv) awareness building. The ICERs ranged from - 332,320 EUR/QALY to 156,310 EUR/QALY. Of the 39 ICERs reported, 30 (76.9%) demonstrated superior cost-effectiveness for smoking cessation interventions. Nine studies reported strong dominance, where the intervention not only gained QALYs but also saved costs. On average, 0.02 QALYs (SD = 0.02) were gained per person. When Life-Years Saved (LYS) were used as the effectiveness measure with a range from EUR 192/LYS to EUR 17,908/LYS. All ICERs werebelow the EUR 25,000/LYS willingness to pay threshold.

conclusionThe evidence suggests that smoking cessation interventions are general cost-effective in Europe. Personal counseling appears crucial for digital interventions to demonstrate cost-effectiveness. Also, awareness building could serve as a cost-effective means of supporting existing cessation programs.

Indexed as

CounselingSmoking CessationCost-Benefit AnalysisEuropeHumansQuality-Adjusted Life YearsCost-effectiveness analysisEuropeSmoking cessationSystematic review

Identifiers

PMID41160307
PMCPMC13190811

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.