Smoking after the age of 65 years: a qualitative exploration of older current and former smokers’ views on smoking, stopping smoking, and smoking cessation resources and services

Abstract

The aim of this study was to explore older current/former smokers' views on smoking, stopping smoking, and smoking cessation resources and services. Despite the fact that older smokers have been identified as a priority group, there is currently a dearth of age-related smoking cessation research to guide practice. The study adopted a qualitative approach and used the health belief model as a conceptual framework. Twenty current and former smokers aged>or=65 years were recruited through general practices and a forum for older adults in the West of Scotland. Data were collected using a semistructured interview schedule. The audio-taped interviews were transcribed and then analysed using content analysis procedures. Current smokers reported many positive associations with smoking, which often prevented a smoking cessation attempt. The majority were aware that smoking had damaged their health; however, some were not convinced of the association. A common view was that 'the damage was done', and therefore, there was little point in attempting to stop smoking. When suggesting a cessation attempt, while some health professionals provided good levels of support, others were reported as providing very little. Some of the participants reported that they had never been advised to stop smoking. Knowledge of local smoking cessation services was generally poor. Finally, concern was voiced regarding the perceived health risks of using nicotine replacement therapy. The main reasons why the former smokers had stopped smoking were health-related. Many had received little help and support from health professionals when attempting to stop smoking. Most of the former smokers believed that stopping smoking in later life had been beneficial to their health. In conclusion, members of the primary care team have a key role to play in encouraging older people to stop smoking. In order to function effectively, it is essential that they take account of older smokers' health beliefs and that issues, such as knowledge of smoking cessation resources, are addressed.

Knowledge and Beliefs about Smoking and Cancer among Women in Five European Countries

“…The actual question asked was "Given that the median annual household income in Ireland is ∼43,000 euros, would you say that your household income is well below, below, around, above, or well above the median?" The medians used were 30 Information on friends and family smoking was also collected for the analysis. Those who reported that "more than half" or "most or all" of their friends and family smoked were combined into one category for analysis.…”

Role of Tobacco Warning Labels in Informing Smokers about Risks of Smoking among Bus Drivers in Mangalore, India

“…Smoking behaviour depends on the extent to which smokers understand the magnitude of these health risks (Kerr et al, 2006). Smokers perceiving greater risks are more likely quit smoking successfully (Sansone et al, 2012).…”

Smoking knowledge and behavior in the United States: Sociodemographic, smoking status, and geographic patterns

“…Studies from the broader field of cancer prevention have demonstrated that accurate knowledge is a central component of effective health promotion (Finney Rutten, Meissner, Breen, Vernon, & Rimer, 2005), and this appears to hold true for smoking behavior as well. Research suggests that knowledge and beliefs about smoking are clinically relevant in that such factors may be associated with key behaviors such as cessation and intent to quit (Carosella, Ossip-Kline, Watt, & Podgorski, 2002;Cummings et al, 2004;Dillard, McCaul, & Klein, 2006;Kerr, Watson, Tolson, Lough, & Brown, 2006). These findings, coupled with the observation that overall reductions in smoking prevalence in the population tend to obscure tobacco-related morbidity and mortality that persists among certain ethnic/ racial minority populations (Ries et al, 2004) and those with lower socioeconomic status (CDC, 2004;Singh et al, 2003), suggest the need for better understanding of how knowledge of risks and endorsement of misinformation or myths about tobacco use vary by sociodemographic and geographic factors.…”