Factors related to the success of smoking cessation: A retrospective cohort study in Korea

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Every year, at least half of the smokers in South Korea attempt to quit smoking. However, the Korean smoking rate remains still high among OECD countries. This study aimed to identify the factors that influence the success of smoking cessation efforts. METHODS The study included 1395 smokers, who participated in a 12-week program comprising doctor counseling and pharmacological treatment (i.e. varenicline), conducted at smoking cessation clinics in two general hospitals from 2015 to 2019. The participants responded to a survey questionnaire inquiring about their smoking behaviors at the first visit to the clinic. After completing the program, they were asked whether they succeeded in smoking cessation. Based on participants' reported success or failure, multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted to obtain adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for factors related to smoking cessation success. RESULTS Following the 12-week program, 39.6% of the participants (n=553) succeeded in smoking cessation. Lower rates of nicotine dependence (AOR=0.73; 95% Cl: 0.54-0.98) and lower total amounts of smoking (AOR=0.67; 95% Cl: 0.47-0.95) were significantly associated with higher success rates in smoking cessation. In addition, smokers who participated in the program for at least 8 weeks (AOR=7.16; 95% Cl: 5.57-9.20) and smokers who had hypertension (AOR=1.40; 95% Cl: 1.07-1.85) or a cardiovascular disease (AOR=1.68; 95% Cl: 1.03-2.75) achieved higher success rates. CONCLUSIONS Smokers' success in smoking cessation was influenced by the period of visits to the smoking cessation clinic, the severity of nicotine dependence, and the presence of a cardiovascular disease including hypertension. Using these factors, smoking cessation strategy may be improved and personalized for individuals.

Evaluation of factors affecting smoking cessation in people treated with Varenicline

“…Therefore, it appears that adding nicotine replacement therapy to varenicline treatment should be decided on Those with high nicotine addiction have difficulty quitting smoking compared to those with lower addiction levels (24). In some previous studies, it was reported that the median FTND score was higher in those who could not quit smoking, similar to our study (20,25). The main feature of nicotine addiction is the desire to feel the positive pharmacological effects of nicotine, such as psychoactive stimulation, and to avoid possible withdrawal symptoms (4).…”

Methods and factors influencing successful smoking cessation in Thailand: A case-control study among smokers at the community level

“…The reason was that older male Korean smokers have experienced more illness than younger ones, leading to a higher quit attempt rate and successful smoking cessation rate. The illnesses which had a positive effect on a successful smoking attempt included cardiovascular diseases and higher blood pressure 8 , 17 , as well as high body mass index 17 . Since expensive cigarettes reduce tobacco consumption 3 , unemployed people in our study may have had higher motivation to quit than their employed counterparts for financial reasons.…”

“…Previous international studies show which individual-level factors influence successful smoking cessation. These factors include: taking medications and using counseling services 3 ; lifetime tobacco exposure (pack-years), education level, alcohol drinking status, and smoker’s age 7 ; severity of nicotine dependence and the presence of comorbidity (such as cardiovascular diseases and hypertension) 8 ; concerns for self-health and family’s support 9 , social pressures 9 , 10 , and encountering environments previously associated with smoking (e.g. establishments that serve alcohol) 3 .…”

Quit Smoking Clinic: Factors Associated with Successful Quit Smoking in Besut District, Terengganu State of Malaysia

“…Over recent years, successful quit smoking rates were reported as ranging from 30.2% to 45.5% [7]- [11]. A study in South Korea reported almost 40.0% of smokers accomplished smoking cessation following a 12-week quit smoking intervention [8]. In Karachi, Pakistan, a study among 330 former adult smokers, 50.3% quit successfully on their first attempt [12].…”

“…Smokers who live in urban areas have a higher chance in smoking cessation because of better access to medical facilities and more media resources for tobacco control educational campaigns, as well as higher educational attainment [20], [21]. Smokers with chronic medical illness such as hypertension, diabetes, tuberculosis, ischemic heart disease and asthma were associated with successful quit smoking and they often used more assertive choice of tobacco-cessation treatment compared to those without comorbidities [7], [8], [10], [22]- [24]. Other associated factor influencing successful quit smoking was voluntary participation in the smoking cessation service.…”