Predictors of participation in a smoking cessation program among young adult smokers

This study investigated the predictors of participation in a smoking cessation trial for young adults ages 18 to 30 years old. Eligible smokers (n = 164) completed a telephone survey that measured demographic, smoking history, and psychosocial variables before the initiation of smoking cessation treatment. Young adult smokers who attended at least one smoking cessation session were compared with those who did not attend any sessions. Logistic regression analysis indicated that race and age were statistically significant multivariate predictors of participation. Caucasians were over six times (odds ratio, 6.03; 95% confidence interval, 2.41-15.05) more likely to participate in the smoking cessation program compared with non-Caucasians (61% versus 19%). For every SD increase in age (SD, 2.45), there was about a 2-fold increase in the likelihood that a young adult smoker participated in the smoking cessation program (odds ratio, 1.82; 95% confidence interval, 1.23-2.71). Future research should investigate how to promote participation in smoking cessation programs among smokers in emerging adulthood and among non-Caucasian young adult smokers to prevent a lifelong habit associated with disproportionate morbidity and mortality.