Housing evidence / case study · working draft
CURE: treating tobacco dependence in hospital
Manchester made smoking treatment part of hospital admission, with specialist nurses and support continuing after discharge.
01 / THE APPROACH
What was tried
At Wythenshawe Hospital, the CURE pilot used electronic admission screening to identify adults who smoked. Ward staff offered advice and medication, and an opt-out referral connected patients with specialist cessation nurses.
The programme brought together clinical teams, pharmacy, IT and hospital leadership. Staff training and prescribing protocols supported routine treatment; specialist support continued after patients went home. Maternity and day-case admissions were excluded.
02 / THE FINDINGS
What was learned
Of 14,690 admissions, 13,515 were screened and 2,393 smokers identified. Among those identified, 66% received medication and 61% completed specialist inpatient support.
At 12 weeks after discharge, 525 people reported not smoking: 22% of all identified smokers, with those not reached counted as smoking.
03 / TRANSFER TO WALES
What Wales could learn
The pathway needed ward staff to screen and start treatment, specialist nurses for further support, pharmacy and IT input, and follow-up after discharge.
Electronic referrals helped connect those roles, but not every identified smoker received specialist support. The practical question is whether each step is completed, not simply whether a referral system exists.
Sources & review
Evison et al. (2020), Feasibility, uptake and impact of a hospital-wide tobacco addiction treatment pathway: Results from the CURE project pilot. Clinical Medicine 20(2), 196–202. DOI 10.7861/clinmed.2019-0336. Primary source checked 23 October 2026. The 22% figure is self-reported abstinence at 12 weeks, not biochemical confirmation.
