Dataset Information

Preparing for the Quit Day: Comparing Beliefs of Nondaily Versus Daily Young Adult Smokers as They Prepare for a Quit Attempt.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Most smoking cessation approaches are modeled on heavy daily smoking. With increasing prevalence of nondaily smoking, it may be necessary to modify these approaches for nondaily smokers.

Aims

To provide information about beliefs and attitudes relevant to smoking cessation for nondaily smokers.

Methods

Secondary analysis of two prospective studies on young adult smokers (18-24 years of age) provided brief advice to quit smoking. Measures include baseline levels of constructs relevant to smoking cessation counseling and perceived benefits of and barriers to smoking cessation.

Results

Participants (n = 40 nondaily, 122 daily smokers) were predominantly White (70% and 84%, respectively), gender-balanced (50% and 43% female), full-time college students (89% and 95%). At baseline, nondaily smokers reported lower levels of nicotine dependence (p < .001; nondaily: Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) = 0.8 ± 1.5, daily: FTND = 3.1 ± 1.9), lower urge to smoke (p < .001), greater self-efficacy when facing external smoking stimuli (p = .03), expecting to experience fewer positive effects (reduced negative affect, p = <.001, stimulation, p = .02), and valuing the importance of smoking effects less (ps < .01) than daily smokers. During counseling, nondaily smokers generated both fewer benefits of cessation (Wald X2(df = 1) = 4.91, p = .027) and fewer barriers (Wald X2(df = 1) = 5.99, p =.014) than daily smokers. Withdrawal was not listed by nondaily smokers as a barrier (p < .01).

Conclusions

Constructs relevant to smoking cessation for daily smokers were less salient to young nondaily smokers, compared with moderately addicted young daily smokers, as indicated by responses to standardized scales and by the generation of fewer benefits and barriers in counseling. Interventions may need to find novel ways to engage nondaily smokers, particularly young adult, in smoking cessation efforts.

Implications

This study is unique in eliciting benefits and barriers from nondaily smokers as they are about to make a quit attempt. This is a critically important point in time, as this is the point in time in which an action plan is formed and can be informed and enhanced by smoking cessation support. Our study further allowed direct comparison to daily smokers undergoing the same procedures, which allowed the identification of unique factors that may impact nondaily smokers in their quit attempt, which may guide intervention efforts. Use of a mixed method design further strengthen the rigor of this study.

SUBMITTER: Hoeppner BB

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8248953 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundPregnant smokers may be offered nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) alongside behavioral support to assist with a quit attempt. Yet trials of NRT have found adherence to be low among pregnant women, and this has made it difficult to determine the efficacy of NRT. The aim of this study is to understand the experience of pregnant women who use NRT but discontinue this early or do not use the medication as recommended.MethodsSemi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with 14 pregnant smokers who had recently been prescribed NRT, but self-reported poor NRT adherence or discontinuing treatment prematurely. Data were transcribed and analyzed using inductive thematic analysisResultsThere were four main themes identified; expectations of NRT, experience of using NRT, safety concerns and experience of using e-cigarettes. Some women intentionally used NRT to substitute a proportion of their cigarette intake and smoked alongside. Most women smoked while using NRT. Women who underutilized NRT did so as they experienced side effects, or were concerned that using NRT instead of smoking could actually increase their nicotine exposure and potential for increased nicotine dependence or fetal harm. Most women spoke about the use of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation method but only a few had actually experienced using them during pregnancy.ConclusionMany women underused NRT but simultaneously smoked. Challenging negative perceptions about NRT and educating women further about the risks of smoking may encourage them to use NRT products as recommended.ImplicationsThese findings add to the research surrounding the efficacy of NRT during pregnancy by providing insight into how pregnant women use NRT during a quit attempt and how this may influence adherence. It may assist health professionals to support pregnant smokers by increasing their understanding about the differing ways in which women use NRT and help them address concerns women may have about the safety of NRT.