What are the main sources of smoking cessation support used by adolescent smokers in England? A cross-sectional study

Abstract

BackgroundAdolescent smoking is a worldwide public health concern. Whilst various support measures are available to help young smokers quit, their utilization of cessation support remains unknown.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 2012 Smoking, Drinking and Drug Use among Young People survey to quantify the use of seven different types of cessation support by adolescents aged 11-16 in England who reported current smoking and having tried to quit, or ex-smoking. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals for the associations between participant characteristics and reported use of cessation support.ResultsAmongst 617 current and ex-smokers, 67.3 % (95 % CI 63.0-71.2) reported use of at least one cessation support measure. Not spending time with friends who smoke was the most commonly-used measure, reported by 45.4 % of participants (95 % CI 41.1-49.8), followed by seeking smoking cessation advice from family or friends (27.4 %, 95 % CI 23.7-31.5) and using nicotine products (15.4 %, 95 % CI 12.6-18.7). Support services provided by the National Health Service (NHS) were infrequently utilized. Having received lessons on smoking was significantly associated with reported use of cessation support (adjusted OR 1.55, 95 % CI 1.02-2.34) and not spending time with friends who smoked (adjusted OR 1.98, 95 % CI 1.33-2.95). Students with family members who smoked were more likely to report asking family or friends for help to quit (adjusted OR 1.74, 95 % CI 1.07-2.81). Respondents who smoked fewer cigarettes per week were generally less likely to report use of cessation support measures.ConclusionThe majority of young smokers reported supported attempts to quit, though the support they used tended to be informal rather than formal. Evidence is needed to quantify the effectiveness of cessation support mechanisms which are acceptable to and used by young smokers.

Factors associated with maintenance of smoking cessation in adolescents after implementation of tobacco pricing policy in South Korea: Evidence from the 11th Youth Health Behavior Survey

“…In a previous study, it has been reported that the smoking behavior of friends or parents had a negative effect on the intention or success of smoking cessation (Haas & Schaefer, ). In a study that reported the parental and peer factors associated with smoking in adolescents (Kwak, ), the most significant influential factor on smoking behavior of adolescents was “the number of smoking friends.” In addition, not spending time with friends who smoke was one of the most commonly used methods for successful smoking cessation among adolescents (Shaikh, Nugawela, & Szatkowski, ).…”

Factors Associated with Smoking Behaviors in Out-of-School Youth: Based on an Ecological Model

“…Parental attachment, an interpersonal factor, was also found to be associated with smoking [ 26 , 27 ]. Parental attachment predicted problem behaviors in adolescents [ 28 ]. A study on the common factors between smoking and delinquency also found that parenting behavior (i.e., emotional bonding between parents and children) was the most potent predictor of smoking in adolescents.…”