New Study Reveals Incorporating Smoking Cessation Support into Talk Therapies Increases Quit Rates

Recent research conducted by the University of Bath and funded by Cancer Research UK has made significant strides in addressing the intertwining issues of smoking and mental health, specifically depression and anxiety. On No Smoking Day 2025, the study was released, revealing that integrating smoking cessation support into NHS Talking Therapies not only enhances quit rates but also supports individuals grappling with both mental and physical health challenges. This approach provides a much-needed solution to the prevalent smoking epidemic within this vulnerable population.

Under the leadership of Dr. Gemma Taylor from the University of Bath, the research involved collaboration with multiple esteemed institutions, yielding results published in the well-regarded journal, Addiction. The findings confirmed that incorporating smoking cessation strategies into cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) sessions did not interfere with treatment. Instead, it offered an innovative method of addressing the two concurrent health issues simultaneously. Patients with mental health conditions often face additional barriers when it comes to quitting smoking; thus, this study proves particularly timely and relevant.

The trial encompassed a substantial cross-section of the UK, spanning several NHS trusts in London, the Midlands, and the South West, taking place from 2019 to 2021. In total, 135 participants were enrolled, divided into two groups. One group received a comprehensive combination of 12 smoking cessation sessions alongside their regular CBT, while the control cohort solely engaged in standard CBT and received information about quitting after the treatment concluded.

To gather meaningful data, researchers implemented follow-ups at three and six months post-intervention, capturing critical metrics on patient engagement, satisfaction with the treatment received, smoking habits, and overall mental health outcomes. The findings revealed a dramatic difference in quit rates between the two cohorts—15% of individuals in the combined treatment group had stopped smoking entirely at the six-month mark, a staggering rate that is more than two and a half times the control group’s quit rate of just 6%.

A comparison with recent data from a Cochrane review highlights a substantial improvement in cessation outcomes for individuals experiencing depression when CBT is supplemented with smoking cessation support. The review indicated an average quit rate of 8.8% for standard smoking cessation treatments, while the ESCAPE trial findings indicate that cognitive behavioral therapy almost doubles that success rate, underscoring the effectiveness of the integrated treatment model.

These findings lead researchers to believe that the study opens doors to the potential for introducing smoking cessation support in more mental health services. Therapists are reporting that this integration is not only useful but also easy to incorporate into existing therapeutic frameworks, thereby benefiting clients’ holistic health significantly. The feedback from therapists around the practicability of this intervention further reinforces its value in optimizing patient outcomes.

The lead researcher, Dr. Gemma Taylor, emphasized the implications of these findings by stating that individuals living with depression and anxiety are statistically twice as likely to smoke, which complicates their recovery process. By incorporating smoking cessation interventions alongside addressing mental health, this research signals a transformative opportunity for the NHS to assist patients in breaking free from a debilitating cycle of addiction, thereby simultaneously enhancing their mental well-being and overall quality of life.

Responding to the study’s insights, Hazel Cheeseman, Chief Executive of Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), remarked on the necessity for the NHS to stop treating smoking and mental health as separate problems. Her statements pointed towards a pressing need for integrated treatment approaches that can lead to significant improvements in patient health, emphasizing that there are long-term benefits both for individuals and the healthcare system as a whole.

Mark Rowland, Chair of the Mental Health and Smoking Partnership and Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, echoed similar sentiments, advocating for the importance of quitting smoking not only in terms of physical health outcomes but also as a critical component of mental well-being. His call to action urges the NHS to leverage this evidence-based intervention to amplify its support for individuals battling mental health issues and smoking addiction, providing a pathway to recovery and improved health.

Tom Ayres, Director of the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health, pointed out that individuals with mental health conditions possess the same level of motivation to quit smoking as the broader population but encounter unique challenges that make cessation more difficult. He highlighted the research findings as grounds for embedding smoking cessation support within Talking Therapies in order to assist patients in overcoming their tobacco addictions alongside their mental health issues, advocating for an expanded application of this innovative approach.

Overall, the implications of this research are far-reaching. By validating the integration of smoking cessation strategies into mental health treatments, it offers a pragmatic model that could reshape how healthcare services address dual struggles with smoking and mental health. Expanding access to this model across the NHS has the potential to reach an estimated 300,000 smokers who access NHS Talking Therapies each year, thereby improving health outcomes for a significant segment of the population.

The study also aligns with emerging evidence suggesting smoking may exacerbate mental health issues, hinting at a circular relationship that perpetuates both smoking and psychological distress. With a recent study conducted by Dr. Taylor demonstrating that quitting smoking can result in mental health benefits comparable to taking antidepressants, the rationale for addressing smoking within mental health frameworks becomes ever more compelling.

The research signifies critical strides in bridging the gap between mental health and smoking cessation, presenting a fresh perspective on how integrated care can deliver tangible benefits. By addressing these facets together, healthcare providers could cultivate healthier communities, thus fostering a societal shift in how we approach smoking cessation and mental health care.

In conclusion, this groundbreaking research represents an evolving understanding of mental health treatment that recognizes the multifaceted nature of human health. It tackles an urgent public health issue and presents a practical and effective way to enhance the overall well-being of our communities, paving the way for national policy changes within the NHS that may significantly alter the landscape of healthcare in the UK.

Subject of Research: Integration of Smoking Cessation Support in Mental Health Treatment
Article Title: Integration of Smoking Cessation Treatment as part of usual Psychological Care for Depression and Anxiety (ESCAPE): A Randomised and Controlled, Multicentre Trial
News Publication Date: 12 March 2025
Web References: Addiction Journal Link
References: University of Bath research funded by Cancer Research UK.
Image Credits: University of Bath press office.

Keywords: Smoking Cessation, Mental Health, Depression, Anxiety, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Public Health, Integrated Care, Addiction, Healthcare Solutions.

Tags: Cancer Research UK studycognitive behavioral therapy for smokingdual diagnosis smoking interventionsintegrated health approachesmental health and smokingmental health challenges and smokingNHS talking therapiesquit rates and depressionsmoking and anxiety treatmentsmoking cessation supportsmoking epidemic solutionsUniversity of Bath research