Optimising the use of varenicline and smoking cessation interventions in primary and secondary care settings

Cigarette smoking adversely affects nearly every organ system in the human body. Nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion, and varenicline are three evidence-based pharmacological treatments available to assist smokers in quitting. Of these varenicline is the most effective monotherapy for smoking cessation outcomes. However, absolute cessation rates for varenicline in community-based settings are lower than those observed in clinical trials. This difference may be due to differences in medication adherence rates but it may also suggest the need to evaluate new combinations of existing therapies to further improve quit rates. Thus, the aim of this thesis is to optimise the use of varenicline and smoking cessation interventions in primary and secondary care settings.