COST ANALYSIS OF SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAMME IN PUSAT RAWATAN WARGA, UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH

Abstract

Despite ongoing tobacco control measures, data on the direct costs of local smoking cessation programmes in Malaysian tertiary educational settings remain scarce. This study evaluates the cost implications of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) at Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) Quit Smoking Clinic, focusing on 2 mg and 4 mg Nicorette gum dosages. A retrospective cost analysis using a bottom-up micro-costing approach was conducted at Pusat Rawatan Warga, UMS, in 2023. Twenty patients were enrolled in the programme: those receiving 2 mg gum (follow-up every two months) and those receiving 4 mg gum (follow-up monthly). Direct programme costs, including counselling sessions, annual blood tests, and daily Nicorette gum consumption, were calculated. The annual cost per patient was RM 3,249.67 for the 2 mg gum group and RM 4,860.33 for the 4 mg gum group, with a mean annual cost of RM 4,055.00. Cost variations were influenced by gum dosage strength, frequency of follow-ups, and associated clinical procedures. The study highlights the substantial financial requirements of operating a structured smoking cessation programme in a tertiary educational setting. Policymakers and healthcare planners may use this evidence to inform budgeting, optimize resource allocation, and evaluate the sustainability of smoking cessation services. Future research should assess the cost-effectiveness of different NRT dosages to guide policy on scaling up cessation programmes.