[Smoking cessation in rehabilitation centres: outcome and predictors of participation]

The focus of investigation in this study were the characteristics of participants and non-participants in a modern smoking cessation programme for inpatient rehabilitation centres as well as the effects of the programme on participants' smoking behavior.

Smoking patients (N=313) from 10 Bavarian rehabilitation centres including 203 participants and 110 non-participants of a newly implemented group programme were asked about socio-demographics, smoking behaviour and willingness to change both at the beginning and at the end of their inpatient stay.

Univariate analyses showed there to be no difference between participants and non-participants with regard to socio-demographics and smoking behaviour. Multivariate analyses detected a higher intention to quit smoking, the stage of contemplation, and the marital status "single" to be significant predictors of participation. 42.6% of participants stopped smoking during their stay, 18.2% were abstinent until the time of discharge. These rates are significantly lower among non-participants (stop: 16.9%; abstinence 1.8%).

Participation in a smoking cessation programme essentially depends on a smoker's motivation to quit. The investigated programme can provide useful support for smokers willing to quit.