Table 2 Intervention characteristics

Andrews et al. 2016 [48]

Community-based participatory research approach and social ecological model

Group: educational and behavioural strategies

Individual: social support with quitting and enhanced self-efficacy with cessation attempts

Group strategies: certified counsellors and neighbourhood tenant association

Individual: community health workers

Fidelity observation checklist for community health worker, peer group, neighbourhood, written materials, patches implemented

Bernstein et al. 2015 [47]

Low-income smokers have limited access to GP services who undertreat smoking. ED visit opportunity for screening, intervention and referral

Feedback, enhancement of self-efficacy, brief advice and treatment options given in non-judgemental, empathic fashion to improve self-reflection

Interviews: research associates trained in motivational techniques

NRT: ED nurse

All interviews audio-recorded and reviewed weekly with research associates by psychologist

Collins et al. 2019 [49]

Behavioural counselling suggests social continencies restrict residential smoking

Identifying and managing urges to smoke and building support to protect children from TSE

Clinical social workers and graduate students Training by doctoral-level experts in smoking cessation

Audio-taped assessment interviews and counselling sessions. Supervision by smoking cessation experts included review of cases and fidelity to maintain >90% fidelity with intervention protocol

Curry et al. 2003 [50]

The paediatric clinic as a ‘teachable setting’ in which to provide advice and assistance to parents who smoke

Helping smokers articulate concerns about smoking and reasons for quitting. Motivational interviewing: aim to trigger decision and commitment to change through feedback, enhancing personal responsibility, advice and supporting self-confidence by using the success of others as encouragement, within a non-confrontational and empathic context.

Motivational message from child’s clinician. Motivational interview and phone call from clinic nurse or study interventionist

Regular review of the visit and call summary sheets by project director, biweekly supervision by telephone, and quarterly in-person lunch meetings

Etter et al. 2016 [51]

Low-income smokers are hard to reach. Financial incentives should be high enough to compensate for tobacco withdrawal symptoms and loss of a valued activity.

Rewarding sustained abstinence, rather than initial quit attempts

Research assistants with no training in smoking cessation support

Not stated

Gilbert et al. 2017 [46]*

1. Direct marketing and proactive recruitment (e.g. cold-calling) has potential as recruitment strategy for smokers.

2. Enhancing personal relevance can help tailor messages to the recipient (computer-tailoring)

3. 3Ts model (tension, trigger, treatment)–inform smoker of personal risk, promote confidence and provide helping relationship

Addresses lack of knowledge or inadequate information on available stop smoking services. Use of ‘why quit’ messages, hard-hitting messages about the consequences of tobacco use and ‘how to quit’ messages, supportive and positive and emphasising quitting resources

Letters generated by a research assistant in each primary care practice

Research assistants trained in RCT methods emphasising importance of standardising taster sessions, and delivering all protocol-specified content, while allowing for differences in the organisation of the individual Stop Smoking Services. Taster sessions were audio-recorded. Advisors completed a personal details form, gathering personal data and highest educational qualification, type of smoking cessation training, time since smoking cessation training, number of patients seen in the previous 6 months and job title to account for differences in ‘therapist effects’.

Glasgow et al. 2000 [52]

Lower SES women have multiple barriers to participation in smoking interventions. Planned parenthood clinics many low-income women and are important setting

Motivational interviewing and barrier-based counselling. Personalized strategies used based on readiness to quit and barriers to quitting

Planned Parenthood clinical staff who received a 1-h training session

Delivery of intervention components was measured and reported—no other details stated

Haas et al. 2015 [53]

GPs do not have time or training to provide tobacco treatment.

1. Dissemination of electronic health records with smoking status data is tool to reach smokers.

2. Interactive voice response allows a computer to detect voice responses during a call and is efficient means to reach large population can be used to engage smokers by providing ink to tobacco specialist

Motivational interviewing techniques to help resolve ambivalence about behaviour change regardless of readiness-to-quit standard. Content tailored to the individual based on intent and confidence to quit. Participants could select optional modules based on needs (e.g. stress, weight gain, menthol use)

Tobacco treatment specialist

Not assessed

Manfredi et al. 2004 [54]

Transtheoretical model of stages of change, social marketing, social learning and motivation theories, self-help for quitting strategies

Improving motivation and readiness to quit smoking in addition to helping smokers ready to quit

Clinical personnel

Not stated

Solomon et al. 2000 [55]

Focuses on low-income women of childbearing age where smoking prevalence is high and cessation resources are limited

Encouragement, guidance and reinforcement for quitting smoking and helped women cope with high risk for smoking situations. They negotiated a schedule of contact

Support person

Brief quality control checks conducted by phone by research assistant with sample of group

Solomon et al. 2005 [56]

Repeat of their 2000 study but provides longer and more intensive telephone contact to see if abstinence is improve at 6 months

A semi-structured protocol designed to provide encouragement, guidance and reinforcement for quitting smoking, and to assist the woman in problem-solving high-risk-for-smoking situations.

Support person who received periodic refresher training sessions and telephone contact to review and discuss protocol

Support logs submitted to author for review each month. Quality control on 50% of participants to verify contact and ensure calls were well-received.