Biochemical validation of smoking status: Pros, cons, and data from four low-intensity intervention trials

doi:10.1016/0306-4603(93)90068-K

Addictive Behaviors

Volume 18, Issue 5, September–October 1993, Pages 511-527

https://doi.org/10.1016/0306-4603(93)90068-K Get rights and content

Abstract

Biochemical validation of smoking status has long been considered essential, but recent reports have questioned its utility in certain kinds of field trials. We describe efforts to biochemically validate self-reports of smoking cessation from participants in four large-scale randomized trials in outpatient clinics, hospitals, worksites, and dental clinics. These studies included over 5,000 adult smokers who participated in the population-based low-intensity intervention evaluations. At a 1-year follow-up, 798 subjects reported no tobacco use. We attempted to verify these reports using saliva continine/carbon monoxide validation procedures. Overall, there was a moderately high nonparticipation rate (27%), a low disconfirmation rate (4%), and a high self-reported relapse rate (12%) in the interval between survey and biochemical validation. There were no differences between intervention and control conditions on any of the above variables. Longer durations of self-reported abstinence were strongly related to increased probability of biochemical confirmation. Differences in results across projects were related to how biochemical validation was conducted. These results, as well as statistical power considerations, raise questions about whether biochemical validation procedures are practical, informative, or cost-effective in such population-based, low-intensity intervention research.

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Biochemical validation of smoking status: Pros, cons, and data from four low-intensity intervention trials

Abstract

Addictive Behaviors

Addictive Behaviors

Behavior Therapy

Behavior Therapy

Preventive Medicine

Behavior Therapy

Journal of Chromatography

Addictive Behaviors

Preventive Medicine

The use of biologic fluid samples in assessing tobacco smoke consumption

Design and analysis issues for field settings

Increasing the validity of self-reports of smoking behavior on children

Journal of Applied Psychology

Statistical methods for rates and proportions

Implementing a year long worksite-based incentive program for smoking cessation

American Journal of Health Promotion

A randomized trial of a self-help smoking cessation intervention in a nonvolunteer female population: Testing the limits of the public health model

Health Psychology

Validation of self-reported smoking behavior: Biochemical analyses of continine and thiocyanate

American Journal of Public Health

Elimination of continine from body fluids: Disposition in smokers and nonsmokers

American Journal of Public Health