Factors associated with long-term smoking relapse in those who succeeded in smoking cessation using regional smoking cessation programs

Abstract

It is known that approximately 10% of successful quitters relapse annually. This study aimed to investigate the factors related to long-term smoking relapse in individuals who succeeded in maintaining smoking cessation for 6 months after attending a regional smoking cessation program.This study enrolled 943 individuals registered for the regional smoking cessation program at the Busan Smoking Cessation Center in 2018-2019 who maintained smoking cessation for 6 months. A survey was conducted using a smartphone link or through phone calls, and the data for 305 participants who finally completed the survey were analyzed. The questionnaire addressed individual, inter-individual, organizational, and community-level factors related to smoking relapse. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the factors associated with smoking relapse by period. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for the factors associated with smoking relapse for the entire period.The smoking relapse rate at the time of the survey was 25.4%. In the analysis of smoking relapse by period, relapse was associated with the belief that smoking relieves stress, the number of single-person households, and poor subjective health status. In the analysis of smoking relapse during the entire period, we observed a significant association with the belief that smoking relieves stress (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.52-4.61), single-person households (HR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.16-3.26), and high levels of emotional stress (HR: 1.72, 95% CI: 1.04-2.85).Long-term follow-up is necessary to prevent smoking relapse in single-person households, individuals who believe that smoking relieves stress, and those experiencing high levels of subjective emotional stress. Interventional therapies for stress relief and awareness improvement in smokers need to be developed.Abbreviations: CAGE = cut-down, annoyed, guilty and eye-opener, CI = confidence interval, FCTC = framework convention on tobacco control, HR = hazard ratio, WHO = World Health Organization.

Subjective Sleep Quality in Quitters Versus Nonquitters on a Tobacco Smoking Cessation Program

“…During a quit attempt women were more disadvantageous than men in terms of maintaining abstinence (20). In contrast, Lee et al (21) found no difference between non-relapsed and relapsed individuals in terms of gender. In the present study, male/female ratio was comparable between quitters and non-quitters.…”

Development of a Risk Score to Predict Short-term Smoking Relapse Following an Inpatient Smoking Cessation Intervention

“…According to previous studies, smoking relieves stress, and high levels of emotional stress are associated with long-term smoking relapse in 305 participants. 9 The group with major depressive disorder (MDD) had a lower continuous abstinence rate over 6 months than the non-MDD group of 1245 smokers using the Korea NHIS smoking cessation program. 22 In a Chinese study, depression was associated with a high risk of relapse for quitters aged < 60 years in 1019 smokers.…”

“…Tobacco craving questionnaire (≤ 202, ≥ 203 points). 16 Self-efficacy scores for smoking cessation were divided into tertiles (low [9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21][22][23][24], middle [25][26][27][28][29][30], and high [31-45]). 17 The drug regimens included NRT, including nicotine patches, lozenges, gum, and prescription drugs (varenicline or bupropion).…”

“…8 Moreover, the living situation of individuals, particularly those in single-person households, along with beliefs about smoking’s role in stress reduction, and the experience of high emotional stress, have been found to predispose individuals to relapse. 9 On the other hand, factors like quitting smoking before the age of 60 and certain affiliations have been associated with a lower risk of relapse. These insights highlight the complex interplay of personal and environmental factors in the smoking cessation process.…”

Development and psychometric assessment of Health Action Process Approach (HAPA) in terms of smoking cessation among Chinese smokers

“…However only less than 10% of those who attempt could remain abstinent for at least 6 months 5 , 6 . In addition, approximately 10% of quitters relapse annually 7 .…”