Experiences of young smokers in quitting smoking in twin cities of Pakistan: a phenomenological study

Abstract

BackgroundSmoking is highly prevalent in Pakistan claiming the lives of over 100,000 individuals every year. A significant proportion of smokers (24.7%) make an attempt to quit each year but 97.4% fail to quit successfully. Little is known about the reasons for, and experiences of, failed quit attempts. This study was carried out to explore the experiences of young male smokers in quitting smoking in the twin cities of PakistanMethodA qualitative study was carried out using a phenomenological approach in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A total of 11 participants were interviewed. All study participants were male and had made at least one quit attempt. Study participants were a mix of smokers who failed to quit smoking, intermittent smokers and successful quitters. Streubert’s (1991) method of phenomenology was followed during data analysis.ResultsThe experiences of smokers while smoking “the smoking phase” have major effects on their journey towards quitting smoking. The smoking phase consists of three major stages: contact with initial smoking stimuli, the journey from first puff to enjoying smoking and then finally smoking becoming part of life. However, the journey towards quitting smoking is not as simple as the journey towards becoming a smoker. Instead, smokers get trapped in three overlapping cycles of smoking and quit attempts: smoking & forced quitting, smoking & intentional quitting, and smoking & intermittent smoking before successful quitting. Breaking the cycle is not easy in the presence of trapping factors (addiction, high availability, easy affordability, conducive social setup and low perceived risks of smoking). Three factors play a major role in breaking these cycles which are strong will power, continuous peer support and avoidance of smokers’ company.ConclusionA young smoker, during his experience of quitting smoking gets entrapped in several overlapping cycles of smoking & quit attempts before successful quitting. There are known entrapping factors as well as factors which help in breaking these cycles. Targeted interventions are needed to facilitate smoking cessation among young smokers in Pakistan.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12889-018-5388-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Indonesian adolescents’ perspectives on smoking habits as a reference for a prevention program: a qualitative study

“…Therefore, teenagers in Aceh and the world at large are highly influenced by their associates, and hence, they tend to adopt common behaviors [41]. Furthermore, this is in agreement with other research that reported that habit was driven by peer pressure and fashion [42].…”

“…This study showed inquisitiveness to be a major factor contributing to the risk of smoking among adolescents in Aceh, supporting previous studies that reported a close relationship between seeking a sensation and cigarette use. Conversely, the search for an increased thrill was significantly associated with e-cigarette experience among Texas teens [57], driven by curiosity, peer pressure, and fashion [42].…”

Indonesian adolescents’ perspectives on smoking habits as a reference for a prevention program: a qualitative study

“…Therefore, teenagers in Aceh and the world at large are highly influenced by their associates, and hence, they tend to adopt common behaviors [41]. This is in agreement with other research that reported that habit is driven by peer pressure and fashion [42]. Thus, having friends who promote and facilitate smoking behaviors is a significant influencing factor for smoking among adolescents.…”

“…Based on this discussion, the importance of character is known, although past research has differed on the influence of parents with a history of smoking and those currently addicted. Hence, an adolescent who has parents with a for an increased thrill was significantly associated with e-cigarette experience among Texas teens [57], driven by curiosity, peer pressure, and fashion [42].…”

“…Being inquisitive is also attributed to other factors; pro-smoking attitudes and perceived social norms support smoking and low self-efficacy is against this habit in a cross-sectional manner [55]. The consequences of interest tend to expose adolescents to the behavior, which is difficult to terminate [42]. Hence, the issue of curiosity is essential when developing prevention programs for adolescents.…”