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Methods used to quit smoking in the United States. Do cessation programs help?
M C Fiore1, T E Novotny, J P Pierce
1Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin, Madison 53792.
JAMA
|May 23, 1990
Summary
Most adult smokers attempting to quit use self-guided methods like "cold turkey." While cessation programs target specific groups, quitting independently showed higher success rates in this 1986 study.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Behavioral Science
- Tobacco Control
Background:
- Smoking cessation remains a significant public health challenge.
- Understanding effective smoking cessation methods is crucial for intervention development.
- Previous research has explored various approaches to quitting smoking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze smoking-cessation methods used by adult smokers in the United States.
- To determine the predictors of using organized cessation programs.
- To evaluate the success rates associated with different cessation methods.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from the 1986 Adult Use of Tobacco Survey.
- Multivariate analysis to identify characteristics of individuals using cessation programs.
- Comparison of success rates between self-quitters and those using organized programs.
Main Results:
- Approximately 90% of successful quitters and 80% of unsuccessful quitters used individual, self-guided cessation methods.
- The "cold turkey" approach was common among those quitting independently.
- Women, middle-aged, more educated individuals, and heavier smokers were more likely to use cessation programs.
- Daily cigarette consumption did not predict quit attempt success.
- Self-guided cessation attempts had a higher success rate (47.5%) compared to organized programs (23.6%) within the previous 10 years.
Conclusions:
- Individual, self-guided smoking cessation methods are predominantly used by adult smokers.
- Cessation programs, while used by a smaller group, are important for specific populations, including heavier smokers at higher risk.
- The study suggests that self-guided quitting may be more successful for the general population of smokers, challenging the efficacy of organized programs for all.