Cognitive behavioral therapy for tobacco cessation among government bus drivers in Patna: Results from a randomized controlled trial

The effectiveness of CBT compared to BHE for tobacco cessation remains unclear, particularly among government bus drivers in Patna. A randomized trial involving 200 smokers (aged 35-44) assessed outcomes at baseline, 4 and 12 weeks using the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND), expired carbon monoxide (CO) and the Transtheoretical Model (TTM). Results showed that 60% of the CBT group quit smoking compared to 35% in the BHE group. CBT also led to a significant reduction in FTND scores and CO levels. This suggests that CBT is more effective than BHE in tobacco cessation. The study addresses the gap in understanding the comparative effectiveness of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Basic Health Education (BHE) in promoting tobacco cessation among smokers.