Does change in perception following counseling result in improved quitting outcome among Malaysian smokers?

The authors examined the effects that change in perception about the advantages and disadvantages of smoking and quitting had on quitting outcome among smokers enrolled in a program for smoking cessation.

A total of 185 smokers from 2 public universities who were interested in quitting received smoking cessation counseling on understanding the risks and benefits of quitting (or smoking) in addition to a course of free nicotine replacement therapy (NRT). A decisional balance questionnaire (DBQ) was administered at baseline and at 2 months postcounseling to determine and assess changes in smoking perception.

After counseling, 72.3% of smokers had reduced their perceptions about the advantages of smoking, and 66.4% had increased perceptions of disadvantages of smoking. At the eighth week, 51 participants (27%) had quit. Smokers who had reduced perceptions of the advantages of smoking had significantly higher quit rates compared with those with no improvement in perception (82.6% vs 17.4%; odds ratio = 2.47; 95% confidence interval = 1.00-6.10).

After counseling, smokers did change their perception of the advantages and disadvantages of smoking during the quitting process. These changes are associated with a higher likelihood of smoking cessation.