Changing Patterns of Willingness and Cessation Behavior Among Chinese Smokers Aged 15 and Above - China, 2010-2024

To evaluate the effectiveness of tobacco control efforts, we conducted a comprehensive analysis of trends in smoking cessation willingness and behavior among Chinese smokers from 2010 to 2024.

Data were obtained from the 2010 Global Adult Tobacco Survey (GATS)-China Project and the National Adult Tobacco Survey (NATS) conducted in 2018, 2022, and 2024. All surveys employed multistage stratified cluster random sampling of the Chinese population aged 15 years and above. Complex sampling analysis was performed for calculations, and trend analysis was conducted using the Cochran-Armitage trend test.

From 2010 to 2024, cessation behavior among Chinese smokers increased significantly. Cessation rates rose from 16.88% to 22.65%, and the proportion of smokers who attempted to quit in the past 12 months increased from 14.37% to 24.75%. The proportion of smokers planning to quit within 12 months increased from 16.10% to 21.61% from 2010 to 2022, but dropped to 16.07% in 2024. Over the 14-year period, cessation rates and quit attempts increased significantly across almost all demographic groups. However, from 2022 to 2024, cessation rates among daily smokers declined while the proportion of those willing to quit decreased. Occasional smokers consistently demonstrated higher cessation rates, quit attempts, and willingness to quit compared to daily smokers.

The observed increases in cessation behavior may be attributed to expanded smoking cessation services and extensive cessation campaigns implemented over the years. Enhanced cessation interventions should be targeted toward daily smokers. Pricing policies, graphic health warnings on packaging, and community-based comprehensive smoking cessation interventions can further enhance smokers' willingness to quit and encourage more cessation attempts.