Determinants of change in quality of life after smoking cessation of health care employees

We aimed to assess the influence of a smoking cessation programme on quality of life (Qol). 703 smoking employees from University Hospital Basel, Switzerland, and two local health industry companies (Novartis Pharma AG, F.Hoffmann- La Roche AG) participated on a structured smoking cessation programm. This consisted of 10 visits with counselling and motivational within 2 years of follow-up. Various modalities of nicotine replacement therapy and/or bupropion were offered. Quality of life was asessed by Satisfaction with Life scale (Qol). The impact of several factors on quality of life was analyzed by linear mixed effect model (fixed effects with 95% confidence intervalls are shown in parentheses) 38% of participants were abstinent from nicotine after 2 years. Successful quitting at 2 years was associated with a significant improvement in quality of life (0.75 95% CI 0.015;1.49; p= 0.045). Smokers with higher quality of life (Qol) at baseline showed greater improvement than those with lower baseline values (0.5 95% CI 0.42; 0.57; p The outcome of a quit attempt as well as baseline quality of life, pharmocological support and time influenced quality of life within 2 years of a quit attempt.