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Background: Tobacco use is one of the main preventable causes of morbidity and mortality in the world. This report presents the experience of the smoking cessation team from the National Thorax Institute (Instituto Nacional del Torax-Chile). Patients and Method: A clinical series of patients treated between April 2013 and March 2014, with one-year follow-up was studied. Intervention was based on seven group sessions, with a cognitive behavioral viewpoint and pharmacological treatment (mainly varenicline). Follow-up was done through telephone calls at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. Descriptive statistics and X² test were used. Results: Eighty-seven patients were treated, mean age 54 years, 63% women; 79% had a pack year index over 20; 28% had depression and 16% had COPD. 59% received varenicline. Self-reported abstinence for 12 months was 37%. No significant differences between high risk groups were found. Conclusion: The smoking cessation program done at the National Thorax Institute shows that it is feasible to implement this type of programs in the public health system of Chile with results comparable to those internationally published.

Resumen Se describe la metodología utilizada en el Instituto Nacional del Tórax para el tratamiento del tabaquismo, modalidad grupal. Se realizan 7 sesiones semanales, donde se utilizan los principios de la Entrevista Motivacional. Hay una primera etapa de preparación (3 sesiones), se fija día D y luego 4 sesiones de acompañamiento, manejo del síndrome de privación, prevención de recaídas y mantención de la abstinencia.