Response to Re: Printed quit-pack sent to surgical patients at time of waiting list placement improved perioperative quitting

摘要

We thank Byrne et al. for raising important points regarding how best to help smokers quit before surgery.1 Smoking rates among the poorest 20% of Australians are approximately three times higher than the wealthiest 20%, and rates of adequate health literacy are double in the wealthiest compared with the poorest.2 With this in mind, our cessation brochure underwent consumer testing to improve readability prior to finalizing the version for study use. The 8.6% increase in clinically meaningful quitting (>1 month) was modest, but a useful and practical small step for a relatively disad-vantaged population in metropolitan Melbourne. Videos and podcasts may be more persuasive, but not always played and have cost barriers that could limit widespread application.