Smoking Cessation for Persons Living With HIV: A Review of Currently Available Interventions

Smoking among persons living with HIV infection (PLWH) is estimated to be two to three times greater than the general population. Data suggest that cigarette smoking is more common among PLWH because of factors such as lower socioeconomic status, previous or concurrent illicit drug and alcohol use, age, education level, and concurrent depressive symptoms. Cigarette smoking in HIV-infected individuals has been associated with higher risk of certain cancers, infections, and a decrease in response to antiretroviral therapy. Recent guidelines from the U.S. Public Health Service have recommended the use of counseling and pharmacologic therapies for all patients interested in quitting smoking. It is critical for clinicians caring for PLWH to be familiar with these modalities. This article provides an overview of currently available interventions for smoking cessation, reviews considerations for patients with HIV, and discusses clinical implications for nurses and advanced practice clinicians.