Unaided Smoking Cessation in Healthy Employees

Abstract

Background: According to guidelines, behavioral and pharmacological assistance should be offered to all smokers willing to quit. However, a large proportion of ex-cigarette smokers are self-quitters. Objectives: To identify characteristics of long-term, unaided self-quitters, as compared to recurrent smokers among health care employees. Methods: University hospital employees (n = 5,218) were addressed through a 17-question questionnaire inquiring about past and current smoking behavior. Questions included daily cigarette consumption, pack-years, previous quit attempts, smoking-free period, and utilization of pharmacological therapies and counseling. Results: 2,574 (49.3%) questionnaires were returned. 791 subjects declared to have successfully quit smoking. A complete data set was available for 763 cases. Patients remained smoking free for a mean period of 11.8 ± 9.7 years. The most common smoking cessation method in these subjects was unaided (77.2%), followed by alternative approaches (15.4%), nicotine replacement therapy (4.5%), counseling (1.7%), and bupropion (1.2%). Smoking cessation was achieved with 1 attempt in 53% of the cases, 2 in 19%, 3 in 13%, and more than 3 attempts in 15%, respectively. On average, 2.4 ± 3.02 attempts led to successful smoking cessation. After 2 or more unsuccessful attempts, the odds ratio for a further unsuccessful smoking cessation was 2.58 (95% CI 1.94–3.45). Conclusion: The majority of the ex-smokers quitted smoking without any behavioral or pharmacological support. The chance to successfully quit smoking without any help in a first or second attempt is considerably high. The risk for smoking recurrence after 2 ineffective quit attempts is markedly increased (OR 2.58).

Factors motivating smoking cessation: a cross-sectional study in a lower-middle-income country

“…Additionally, quitting cold turkey has been recommended as more successful in smoking cessation, as compared to gradually tapering off cigarette use [ 34 ]. Interestingly in our study, use of a smoking cessation aid was negatively associated with quitting on the first attempt, a finding corroborated by a survey by Manis et al in Switzerland [ 35 ]. With regards to self-image, while having a negative self-image due to one’s addiction may cause distress to the smoker [ 36 ], it can also function as a powerful motivator to quit smoking as it negates the perceived benefits of smoking [ 37 ].…”

What Motivates Smoking Cessation? A Cross-Sectional Study in a Lower-Middle-Income Country

“…Additionally, quitting cold turkey has been recommended as more successful in smoking cessation, as compared to gradually tapering off cigarette use (28) . Interestingly in our study, use of a smoking cessation aid was negatively associated with quitting on the rst attempt, a nding corroborated by a survey by Manis et al in Switzerland (29) . With regards to self-image, while having a negative self-image due to one's addiction may cause distress to the smoker (30) , it can also function as a powerful motivator to quit smoking as it negates the perceived bene ts of smoking (31) .…”

The Era of E-Cigarettes: A Cross-Sectional Study of Vaping Preferences, Reasons for Use and Withdrawal Symptoms Among Current E-Cigarette Users in the United Arab Emirates

“…Smoking is considered one of the main risk factors for many diseases worldwide [19]. In literature, there are pieces of evidence that many tobacco smokers have a willingness to quit [20,21]. However, smoking cessation is sought to be quite difficult with frequent relapses amongst those who try to quit, mainly due to withdrawal symptoms [22,23].…”

“…A structured questionnaire was developed by the authors after a careful and extensive review of related literature, utilizing the general principles of good survey design [18][19][20][21]. The questionnaire was distributed to participants in both Arabic and English versions using Google Form (A secure web-based survey tool provided by Google®).…”