Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2017). Quitting smoking. CDC. Retrieved November https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/cessation/quitting/index.htm
The CDC is a health protection agency whose main intent is to safeguard Americans from health issues. The CDC achieves its mission through using critical science and providing health information to protect the nation against health threats. In this article, the CDC explores various topics related to smoking cessation. This article would benefit the general public as the information that it contains is universal and it employs non-technical language which facilitates easy understanding. Therefore, the CDC targets the public and any other entities that have an interest in promoting health among Americans. The article begins with a discussion on the addictive effect of nicotine before outlining the benefits that individuals enjoy when they successfully quit smoking. The various interventions that smokers can adopt and the statistics on smoking cessation are other issues that this source explores. Credibility and depth are the main strengths of this source. Its credibility stems from the fact that it was authored by the CDC, a government institution whose main mandate is to secure the health of the American people. As regards how it relates to the other sources, this article essentially summarizes these sources. For example, it confirms the observation by Lancaster, Tim and Stead (2017) that counseling is effective. This source will serve as the foundation for the discussion that will be performed. The insights that it contains will be useful in examining effective solutions for smoking cessation.
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Jiloha, R. C. (2014). Pharmacotherapy of smoking cessation. Indian Journal of Psychiatry, 56 (1), 87-95. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3927255/
Dr. R. C. Jiloha is part of the Department of Psychiatry at Maulana Azad College and G. B. Pant Hospital in New Delhi, India. He investigates smoking cessation interventions that yield results. As is the case with most of the other researchers whose work have been included in this bibliography, Jiloha presents his academic experience and expertise to earn credibility. His article is rather technical as it focuses on the biological processes that underlie tobacco addiction. Given the technical language of the article, it is fair to assume that this article targets mental health professionals. Jiloha describes how continued use of tobacco affects receptors. This description sets the stage for the discussion on how pharmacotherapy can be used to tackle smoking. He recommends that such pharmacological approaches as the use of inhalers and bupropion should be adopted. The strength of this source lies in the fact that it describes how pharmacotherapy works. It does not merely claim that this approach is effective. Nearly all the other sources offer general information. The article compares to that by Lancaster, Tim and Stead (2017) who explore alternative therapeutic approaches towards individuals willing to stop smoking. The authors address the potential efficacy of behavioral counseling while Jiloha explores how therapy using pharmaceutical drugs can help promote smoking cessation. As it is incorporated into the discussion, this source will strengthen the section on the role that medications play in smoking cessation.
Lancaster, Tim & Stead, L. F. (2017). Individual behavioral counseling for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001292.pub3. Available at: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001292.pub3/full
Lancaster and Stead are part of the Department of Primary Health Care at Oxford University in Oxford, United Kingdom. The two are scholars which makes their work have some level of credibility. To establish credibility, these authors join the other researchers in presenting their academic qualifications. Lancaster and Stead (2017) assert that compared to such other interventions as brief advice, individual counseling is far more effective. Furthermore, they noted that the intensity of the counseling determines its effectiveness with more intense sessions yielding better results. The fact that Lancaster and Stead reviewed dozens of studies is the main source of the strength of their article. By consulting these studies, these researchers were able to develop an article that is grounded on solid research and literature. The authors investigate the effectiveness of individual counseling. Mental health professionals, smokers and their families and the general public are this article’s target audience. The information they provide can be used by mental health practitioners who can use it to structure their approaches when dealing with individuals suffering from smoking addiction. The article is in line with that of Stead, Carroll and Lancaster (2017) which addresses the potential efficacy of group therapy programs in promoting smoking cessation among patients or clients. The article will help illuminate any gaps in using counseling approaches as pertains to dealing with the health issue at hand. The article by Stead, Carroll and Lancaster (2017) will be used to compare and identify any gaps, if any, in current mental health approaches towards helping individuals quit smoking. In selecting this article, it is hoped that it will shed light on the mechanisms through which counseling facilitates smoking cessation.
Stead, L. F., Carroll, A. J., & Lancaster, T. (2017). Group behavior therapy programs for smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD001007.pub3. Available at: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD001007.pub3/epdf/full
Jointly, Stead and Lancaster are part of the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences in the University of Oxford. On the other hand, Carroll is part of the Department of Preventive Medicine in Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine located in Chicago, Illinois. The focus of this article is the role that group therapy has on smoking cessation. It is clear that the article’s target is the general public since any individual can easily understand it and adopt the strategies that are recommended. Stead, Carroll and Lancaster state that group therapy enables smokers to enjoy support from other individuals who are also grappling with smoking. Thus, their target audience are mental health practitioners who are advised to use group therapy compared to self-help approaches which are less efficacious in helping individuals stop smoking. Additionally, as they engage in group therapy, smokers are able to understand how behavioral techniques can help them to quit smoking. To make their conclusions, Stead and his colleagues examined existing literature. Their review of literature led them to establish that if implemented properly, group therapy works. One of the main strengths of this article is that it makes it clear that group therapy goes beyond merely helping smokers to quit; it also enables the smokers to enjoy the company and support of others. Essentially, Stead and his team motivate smokers to embrace group counseling therapy. CDC and Thomsen et al. are among the authors whose works Stead and his colleagues develop. All these scholars agree about the efficacy of counseling in promoting smoking cessation among individuals. Stead, Carroll and Lancaster (2017) note that when it involves groups, counseling is even more effective. Their article will serve as the foundation for the discussion on the significant benefits that group therapy delivers.
Thomsen, T., Villebro, N., & Moller, A.M. (2014). Interventions for preoperative smoking cessation. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD002294.pub4. Available at: https://www.cochranelibrary.com/cdsr/doi/10.1002/14651858.CD002294.pub4/epdf/full
The authors are part of the department of anesthesiology in Herlev University Hospital located in Herlev, Denmark. There is little information provided about the authors but their affiliation with a health institution adds credibility to their work. Thomsen, Villebro and Moller’s article examines smoking cessation initiatives for individuals who are scheduled to undergo operations. It can be argued that these authors aimed the article at practitioners who perform surgeries since the article focuses on the strategies for promoting smoking cessation among preoperative patients. To address the concerns of those who feel that these researchers lack credibility and authority, the researchers provide details of their professional engagement in the article. They note that these individuals face a greater risk of developing complications. In order to prevent the complications, it is critical for the individuals to quit smoking. These researchers confirm that intensive behavioral interventions enable these individuals to cease smoking. In addition to enabling the individuals to lead healthier lives, this intervention also shields them from complications while undergoing surgery. Selection of this article was based on the fact that it is more specific than most of the other sources. For example, while the CDC article discusses interventions for the larger population, this article narrows its focus onto patients about to undergo surgery. Thomsen, Villebro and Moller (2014) present information that would benefit vulnerable patient populations. The incorporation of this information into medical and mental health practice will help safeguard the health of smokers.
