Related Experiment Videos
Recent quitters' interest in recycling and harm reduction.
Anne M Joseph1, Kathryn Rice, Lawrence C An
1Minneapolis Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research of Health Services Research and Development, and University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55417, USA. Anne.M.Joseph@med.va.gov
Summary
Smokers who relapse after using cessation aids are eager to try again, with 98% willing to make another quit attempt. Many are also open to reducing smoking, often with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Addiction Medicine
- Behavioral Science
Background:
- Smoking cessation attempts frequently result in relapse.
- The ideal timing for initiating subsequent quit attempts remains unclear.
- Pharmacological aid users represent smokers actively engaged in quitting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the interest in further smoking cessation treatment among individuals who recently used cessation aids.
- To understand the stage of change and willingness to re-attempt quitting or reduce smoking post-relapse.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 391 smokers who received smoking cessation aid prescriptions.
- Participants were interviewed via telephone a minimum of 3 months after their prescription.
- Data collected included quit attempt history, abstinence rates, and interest in further interventions.
Main Results:
- The 1-month point-prevalent abstinence rate was 19.7%.
- Among continuing smokers, 98% expressed willingness for another quit attempt, with 50% immediately and 28% within 1 month.
- 95% of continuing smokers were open to a reduction strategy, with 82.7% interested in using nicotine replacement therapy (NRT).
Conclusions:
- Smokers who relapse after using cessation aids remain highly motivated to quit or reduce smoking.
- This population readily accepts further assistance shortly after treatment failure.
- Relapsed smokers often remain in an action or contemplation stage, not precontemplation.