Virtual Tobacco Treatment Helps More Cancer Patients Quit Smoking, Study Finds

New Research Shows Telehealth Counseling and Nicotine Replacement Can Improve Smoking Cessation After Cancer Diagnosis

A new randomized clinical trial has found that a structured virtual smoking cessation program can significantly improve quit rates among people recently diagnosed with cancer. The study suggests that combining online counseling sessions with free nicotine replacement therapy may provide a practical and effective approach for helping cancer patients stop smoking.

The research, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, examined whether a virtual sustained tobacco treatment program could help patients quit more successfully compared with standard referral to a national quitline. Researchers found that patients who received ongoing virtual counseling and nicotine replacement therapy were nearly twice as likely to stop smoking after six months.

Smoking after a cancer diagnosis is a major health concern. Continued tobacco use can increase the risk of treatment complications, cancer recurrence, development of additional cancers, and poorer survival outcomes. Despite these risks, many patients continue smoking after diagnosis, highlighting the need for accessible and effective cessation support within cancer care.

Study Examined Virtual Smoking Cessation Support for Cancer Patients

The trial, known as ECOG-ACRIN EAQ171CD, was conducted through the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program (NCI NCORP). Researchers recruited 306 adults from 37 community oncology sites across the United States between August 2019 and December 2022.

Participants had recently received a cancer diagnosis and were current cigarette smokers. They were randomly assigned to one of two groups.

The first group received virtual sustained treatment, which included:

• Up to 11 telehealth counseling sessions delivered over several months
• Motivational interviewing and behavioral support
• Guidance on managing cravings and withdrawal symptoms
• Free nicotine replacement therapy, including patches and lozenges

The second group received enhanced usual care, which involved referral information for the National Cancer Institute quitline, a free telephone-based smoking cessation service.

Researchers then compared smoking abstinence rates at six months.

Virtual Counseling Nearly Doubled Smoking Quit Rates

The results showed a clear difference between the two groups.

After six months, 28.4% of participants receiving virtual sustained treatment reported that they had stopped smoking for at least seven days. In comparison, 14.7% of those receiving quitline referral support reported the same outcome.

This means the virtual program was associated with almost double the likelihood of quitting.

The researchers also found that participants who completed more counseling sessions had better outcomes. Patients who attended more than eight sessions had higher quit rates compared with those who attended fewer sessions.

These findings suggest that ongoing support, rather than a single conversation or referral, may be important for helping cancer patients maintain smoking cessation.

Why Smoking Cessation Matters After Cancer Diagnosis

Many people assume that quitting smoking is only important for preventing cancer. However, stopping smoking after diagnosis can also influence cancer treatment and recovery.

Research has linked continued smoking with:

• Increased treatment-related complications
• Reduced response to some cancer therapies
• Higher risk of cancer progression
• Increased chance of developing another cancer
• Greater risk of mortality

On the other hand, quitting smoking can improve overall health, support treatment effectiveness, and contribute to better long-term outcomes.

Because of these benefits, many cancer organizations recommend that tobacco treatment become a routine part of cancer care.

Telehealth May Expand Access to Smoking Support

One important aspect of this study is that the treatment was delivered remotely. Telehealth programs can help overcome barriers that prevent patients from accessing traditional counseling services.

Cancer patients often face challenges such as:

• Frequent medical appointments
• Fatigue and treatment side effects
• Transportation difficulties
• Emotional stress
• Limited access to tobacco specialists

Virtual counseling allows patients to receive support from home while continuing cancer treatment.

The researchers reported that the virtual program was highly acceptable among participants. Most patients who received the intervention said their needs were met and that they found the counseling helpful.

Medication Support Increased With Virtual Treatment

Nicotine replacement therapy played an important role in the intervention.

Participants in the virtual treatment group were provided nicotine patches and lozenges at no cost. The study found that these patients were much more likely to use recommended smoking cessation medications compared with those receiving usual care.

At six months, medication use was substantially higher among participants who received the virtual program.

Combining behavioral counseling with medication support is considered one of the most effective approaches for smoking cessation. Counseling can help people manage triggers and develop coping strategies, while medications can reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Challenges and Future Implementation

Although the results were positive, researchers identified areas for improvement.

Only a small percentage of participants assigned to quitline referral completed a quitline counseling session. This suggests that simply providing contact information may not be enough to encourage patients to seek help.

Future programs may benefit from automatic referrals, stronger encouragement from healthcare providers, and systems that directly connect patients with tobacco treatment specialists.

The researchers also noted challenges related to follow-up participation and the difficulty of verifying smoking abstinence through biological testing during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Despite these limitations, the study provides strong evidence that sustained tobacco treatment can be successfully integrated into community oncology settings.

The Future of Smoking Cessation in Cancer Care

The findings support a growing movement toward making tobacco treatment a standard part of cancer care.

Rather than treating smoking cessation as an optional service, healthcare systems may need to consider it an essential component of cancer treatment. Screening every cancer patient for tobacco use and providing evidence-based support could improve quality of care nationwide.

Virtual programs may offer a scalable solution, especially for patients who cannot easily access in-person counseling.

As healthcare continues to adopt digital tools, telehealth-based smoking cessation programs could become an important resource for helping more cancer patients quit successfully.

Conclusion

A national clinical trial has shown that virtual counseling combined with nicotine replacement therapy can significantly improve smoking cessation among patients recently diagnosed with cancer.

The study demonstrates that ongoing support, personalized counseling, and access to medication can make a meaningful difference. Integrating these programs into routine oncology care may help reduce the health risks associated with continued smoking and improve outcomes for cancer patients.

Source: Park ER, Sicks JD, Goshe BM, Gareen IF, Herman BA, Taurone A, Bittig S, Ostroff JS, et al. “Virtual Sustained Tobacco Treatment for Patients With Cancer: A Randomized Controlled Trial (ECOG-ACRIN: EAQ171CD) Within the National Cancer Institute Community Oncology Research Program.” Journal of Clinical Oncology. DOI: 10.1200/JCO-25-02267. Published July 13, 2026.

Disclaimer

This article is an educational summary of published research and is not medical advice. Smoking cessation decisions should be discussed with a qualified healthcare professional who understands an individual’s medical history, cancer treatment plan, and personal needs.