Understanding and Use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy and Nonpharmacologic Smoking Cessation Strategies Among Chinese and Vietnamese Smokers and Their Families

Abstract

IntroductionPopulation-based studies have reported high rates of smoking prevalence among Chinese and Vietnamese American men. Although nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is effective, recommended, and accessible without prescription, these populations underuse NRT for smoking cessation. The aim of this study was to assess understanding and use of NRT and nonpharmacologic treatments among Chinese and Vietnamese American male smokers and their families.MethodsIn-depth qualitative interviews were conducted with 13 smoker–family pairs, followed by individual interviews with each participant. A total of 39 interviews were conducted in Vietnamese or Chinese, recorded, translated, and transcribed into English for analysis.ResultsFour themes were identified: use and understanding of NRT, nonpharmacologic strategies, familial and religious approaches, and willpower. Both smokers and their family members believed strongly in willpower and a sense of personal responsibility as the primary drivers for stopping smoking. Lack of these 2 qualities keeps many Chinese and Vietnamese men from using NRT to quit smoking. Those who do use NRT often use it incorrectly, following their own preferences rather than product instructions.ConclusionOur findings indicate the importance of culturally appropriate patient education about NRT. It may be necessary to teach smokers and their families at an individual level about NRT as a complementary approach that can strengthen their resolve to quit smoking. At a community level, public health education on the indication and appropriate use of evidence-based smoking cessation resources, such as NRT, would be an important component of effective tobacco control.

Annual review of Asian American Psychology, 2013.

“…Little, Fagan, Muranaka, & Herzog, 2014;Tsang et al, 2014;Williams & Nigg, 2014) and drug/nonmedical stimulant use, resistance, and treatment (n = 3; Bart, Lenz, Straka, & Brundage, 2014;Okamoto, Pel, Helm, & Valdez, 2014;L.-T. Wu, Swartz, Brady, Blazer, & Hoyle, 2014). Other articles studied substance use more generally, covering cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, or "hard" drugs (n = 8; L. Fang & Schinke, 2014;Helm, Okamoto, Kaliades, & Giroux, 2014;Okamoto, Kulis, Helm, Edwards, & Giroux, 2014;Savage & Mezuk, 2014;.…”

“…Articles mainly centered on alcohol use (n = 11; Banerjee et al, 2014;Blanco et al, 2014;Jimi Huh, Heesung Shin, et al, 2014;Jimi Huh, Thing, Abramova, Sami, & Unger, 2014;Lo, Cheng, & Howell, 2014;Mukherjea, Wackowski, Lee, & Delnevo, 2014;Pagano, Lee, & Sin, 2014;Pokhrel, Little, Fagan, Kawamoto, & Herzog, 2014;Pokhrel, Little, Fagan, Muranaka, & Herzog, 2014;Tsang et al, 2014;Williams & Nigg, 2014) and drug/nonmedical stimulant use, resistance, and treatment (n = 3; Bart, Lenz, Straka, & Brundage, 2014;Okamoto, Pel, Helm, & Valdez, 2014;L.-T. Wu, Swartz, Brady, Blazer, & Hoyle, 2014). Other articles studied substance use more generally, covering cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, or "hard" drugs (n = 8; L. Fang & Schinke, 2014;Helm, Okamoto, Kaliades, & Giroux, 2014;Okamoto, Kulis, Helm, Edwards, & Giroux, 2014;Savage & Mezuk, 2014;.…”

“…Other articles studied substance use more generally, covering cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, or "hard" drugs (n = 8; L. Fang & Schinke, 2014;Helm, Okamoto, Kaliades, & Giroux, 2014;Okamoto, Kulis, Helm, Edwards, & Giroux, 2014;Savage & Mezuk, 2014;. Substance use emerged as an important health issue across a wide range of developmental periods, including adolescence (e.g., Okamoto, Kulis, et al, 2014), emerging adulthood (e.g., Jimi Huh, Heesung Shin, et al, 2014;Luczak et al, 2014) and all other periods of adulthood (e.g., Mukherjea et al, 2014;Tsang et al, 2014). The majority of studies used quantitative-correlational designs with analytical methods such as analysis of variance, linear or logistic regression, and structural equation modeling (n = 15; e.g., Mukherjea et al, 2014).…”

A Social Network Family-Focused Intervention to Promote Smoking Cessation in Chinese and Vietnamese American Male Smokers: A Feasibility Study

“…A majority of Asian American smokers do not seek assistance to quit smoking. 5,8 Most former and current Chinese and Vietnamese smokers and their families thought that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and quitlines were unhelpful 20,22 ; when used, NRT was used incorrectly. 22 Few studies have rigorously assessed strategies to promote smoking cessation among Asian American smokers.…”

“…5,8 Most former and current Chinese and Vietnamese smokers and their families thought that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and quitlines were unhelpful 20,22 ; when used, NRT was used incorrectly. 22 Few studies have rigorously assessed strategies to promote smoking cessation among Asian American smokers. 23,24 A PubMed search up to January 2015 found eight randomized trials targeting Asian Americans.…”