Abstract

SAMARIN OCAMPOS, Elena et al. Methods used and former smokers' reasons for giving up smoking. Rev Clin Med Fam [online]. 2014, vol.7, n.2, pp.89-95. ISSN 2386-8201.  https://dx.doi.org/10.4321/S1699-695X2014000200002.

Objective: to establish the process involved in breaking the smoking habit, the methods used to give up smoking and former smokers' reasons for doing so. Design: observational study based on face-to-face interviews. Location: Toledo healthcare area. Participants: former smokers over 18 years of age. Main analysed data: socio-demographic variables in tobacco consumption (starting age, smoking index, attempts at giving up and duration of abstinence), habit-breaking methods used (whether pharmacological or not), main reason for giving up, degree of effort and intention to smoke again. Results: final sample of 393 former smokers (59.8% male), average age 51.3 years (DE 13.7). The average starting age for tobacco consumption was 16,4 years (3.7) and 42,4 years (12.9) for giving up. 54.7% (IC95% 49,8-59,6) had made a previous attempted at giving up. Th most widely used drug was nicotine (8,1%). 72.5% (IC95% 68,1-76,9) never used any specific method. This figure is 78.9% at the last attempt. Variables in sex (male), time of abstinence (>10 years) and smoking index (<30) are risk factors in stopping smoking. The main reasons given for breaking the habit are disease prevention (35.2%) and the presence of physical problems (26.3%). In the case of 32.7% of those interviewed, no effort was required to cease smoking. 48.8% acknowledge experiencing some problems on giving it up. 63.4% do not miss the smoking habit. Conclusions: smoking cessation occurs after 26 years and several attempts. The majority did not use any specific method to give up the habit. Reasons are related above all to the presence of physical problems disease prevention.

Keywords : Smoking; Smoking cessation; Ex-smoker; Primary Health Care.

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