[A smoking cessation intervention in the Swiss Armed Forces]
1Klinik für Innere Medizin, Universitätsspital Basel.
Praxis
|November 4, 2011
Summary
Intensive military training and support programs effectively reduced smoking rates among young Swiss recruits. This intervention proved viable, decreasing smoking prevalence compared to a control group.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Military Medicine
- Addiction Research
Background:
- Smoking poses significant health risks, particularly for young adults.
- Young adults in military settings represent a population group that may benefit from targeted smoking cessation interventions.
- Basic Military Training (BMT) offers a unique environment for implementing and evaluating such programs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the impact of intensive training and cessation support on smoking cessation during Basic Military Training (BMT) in young Swiss military recruits.
- To compare smoking prevalence changes in an intervention group with a control group receiving no specific cessation support.
- To identify factors associated with successful smoking cessation during BMT.
Main Methods:
- A study was conducted on 999 young Swiss military conscripts undergoing BMT.
- Questionnaires were administered at the beginning and end of BMT to collect data on smoking status, physical activity, and alcohol consumption.
- Results were compared between an intervention group receiving intensive training and support and a control group without intervention.
Main Results:
- The intervention group showed a significant decrease in smoking prevalence (31.9% to 25.5%, p = 0.021).
- Conversely, the control group experienced an increase in smoking prevalence (26.4% to 32.6%, p = 0.038).
- Motivation to serve in the armed forces and willingness to quit smoking were linked to successful cessation during BMT.
Conclusions:
- A smoking cessation intervention integrated into Basic Military Training is feasible and effective.
- BMT can serve as a platform to reduce smoking prevalence in young adults.
- Targeted support and the military environment can positively influence smoking cessation behaviors.
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