Influence of transient ischemic attack or small stroke on cessation of smoking

A retrospective follow-up study was performed on a cohort, which took part in a secondary prevention trial after transient ischemic attack (TIA) or small stroke, to study variables relevant to the cessation of smoking. Of 100 patients, 57 smoked, 1 was lost to follow-up and 18 stopped smoking. Age, gender, amount of cigarettes, hospital admission, and persistence of symptoms were not statistically significant factors in the cessation of smoking in this group, which reported regularly for follow-up in the Dutch TIA trial. Directly after the event 11 patients stopped indefinitely and another 18 patients tried, but resumed smoking later on. During follow-up another 7 stopped. The important factor in the cessation of smoking was the event itself, as most people stopped directly after it, but enforcement was difficult, as half of those who stopped resumed smoking.