Smoking Cessation Screening and Treatment Among Veterans With Multiple Sclerosis

This study identified relatively low rates of smoking cessation screening, interest in treatment, and treatment delivery for VwMS. Important racial and sex disparities were noted. There are several potential barriers and facilitators including Electronic Health Record referral logistics, veteran and provider awareness of the relationship between smoking and MS, stigma of behavioral interventions, fragmented care, and competing demands on clinicians. This work was done at one local VA hospital within North Carolina, the leading state in tobacco production, and is not necessarily representative of other hospital screening and treatment practices. The role of specialty providers (e.g., mental health and neurology) in smoking cessation for VwMS should be further explored and may be an important opportunity for improving screenings and tailored discussion. Future work, incorporating VHA clinician and VwMS perspectives, is needed to further characterize and address barriers/facilitators to improve smoking cessation care and health of VwMS.