Relationships between unfavourable health status and smoking cessation attempts in Hungary

The study examines associations between intentions to quit smoking and health status in three age groups of Hungarian smokers, along with social-demographic background variables.

In 2002, a cross-sectional representative health survey of the sample of 12668 adults was conducted in Hungary. The associations between health status and intentions to quit smoking were analysed with logistic regression among current smokers (N = 3408). The influence of health-related and social predictor variables was tested separately in different age groups (18-34, 35-49, 50-64, >65).

Experiences of chest pain principally motivate young adults to quit smoking. Middle-aged smokers consider quitting because of suffering from cardio-vascular disease. Among the oldest, only respiratory disease influenced quitting attempts. Among social background variables only the fact of living with a spouse had an influence, gender and socio-economic status did not.

Connections between health status and quitting intentions are weakening as age is increasing. The population seems to become gradually conscious of the connections between circulatory problems and smoking. Quitting attempts are restrained by the general attitude that ill health is a normal part of the ageing process.