Smoking cessation: intentions, attempts and techniques

A better understanding of charateristics associated with intentions to quit smoking and quit attempts and of the use of various aids is required to develop effective cessation strategies.

Data from the 2006 Canadian Tobacco Use Monitoring Survey were used to examine intentions to quit smoking, quit attempts, use of cessation aids, and receipt of cessation advice from health professionals.

One-third of Canadian smokers aged 15 or older reported intentions to quit within the next 30 days, and almost half had tried to quit in the past year. The number of cigarettes smoked per day was associated with intending to quit and quit attempts. The intention to quit was strongly associated with the number of past quit attempts. Half of current smokers who had seen a doctor in the past year had been advised to reduce or quit smoking.