An exploration of the problems faced by young women living in disadvantaged circumstances if they want to give up smoking: can more be done at general practice level?

Abstract

Smoking for the women in the study group is a socially and culturally ingrained behaviour pattern with influences dating back to childhood. It is a coping mechanism--many of the women displayed anxiety symptoms which they thought smoking helped with. Guilt was the overwhelming emotion associated with their habit, and this related to worries about their children's and their own health in particular. Most had tried to give up but had failed, and there was a sense of hopelessness about this relating to the difficulty involved for them. Most of the study group were highly motivated to give up, and this needs to be harnessed effectively in cessation support. Smokers and health care workers have different beliefs about what will be effective in smoking cessation. A reluctance to receive help at general practice level highlights the importance of the approach taken by GPs.

Difficulties Quitting for Smokers with and without a Respiratory Disease and Use of a Tailored Intervention for Smoking Cessation – A Qualitative Study

“…illness which then resulted in fear in those with COPD. This is supported by previous research which showed that COPD smokers have 'difficulty in finding the right time to quit' (Eklund et al, 2012, p.1) and that smokers from disadvantaged communities find it difficult to cope without a cigarette (Bancroft, Wiltshire, Parry, & Amos, 2003;Stead, MacAskill, MacKintosh, Reece, & Eadie, 2001); and struggle to overcome barriers to quit (Copeland, 2003). It is therefore possible that the computer-tailored feedback reports did not adequately cater to the needs of these smokers, by providing the intensive help necessary as advocated by the recent statement on smoking cessation interventions for those with pulmonary disease (Jiménez-Ruiz, et al, 2015).…”

“…Also, the feedback report had a positive impact on a large proportion of smokers as it was viewed as being personalised, encouraged a re-evaluation of smoking habits and increased knowledge of smoking behaviour. The suggestions made for improvement of the intervention, can be relatively easily implemented although there is some argument about the value of the inclusion of more negatively framed health information for smoking cessation (Copeland, 2003;Rothman, Salovey, Antone, Keough, & Martin, 1993).…”

A comparative study of perceptions on tobacco in vulnerable populations between India and France

“…Surprisingly, none of the participants reported that quitting difficulties could be due to dependence or nicotine addiction. Other findings are, however, supported by evidence from studies that have shown that people living in socially disadvantaged circumstances may be using tobacco products to bolster a problematic existence (22,23) and are less likely to be able to overcome barriers to cessation despite motivation to quit (24,25).…”

“…Most of the study groups in France were highly motivated to give up the use of tobacco, and this motivation should be harnessed effectively in cessation support (25). The use of behavioural smoking cessation interventions, motivational interventions, or group mood management interventions for disadvantaged groups appears promising (14,26,27).…”

Enrichment in Pre-Kindergarten Life Predicts Initiation of Cigarette Smoking in Asian American and Hispanic/Latino Adolescents

“…The association between enrichment of early childhood life and reduced risk of smoking initiation is consistent with the findings from laboratory studies with rodents and primitive animals. As these studies have demonstrated that deprivation and maternal isolation are risk factors for substance use because they affect the brain development leading toward craving for drugs, including nicotine (Copeland, 2003;Harrison et al, 1997;Meaney et al, 2002;Suomi, 1997). Another finding from this analysis is that the association is not linear between the enrichment of pre-kindergarten life and the initiation of cigarette smoking.…”