Authors: Murray, Rachael L.; Lewis, Sarah A.¹; Coleman, Timothy²; Britton, John¹; McNeill, Ann¹

Source: Addiction, Volume 104, Number 11, November 2009 , pp. 1901-1909(9)

Publisher: Wiley-Blackwell

Abstract:

Objectives 

To investigate the occurrence, determinants and reported success of unplanned and planned attempts to quit smoking, and sources of support used in these attempts. Design 

Cross-sectional questionnaire survey of 3512 current and ex-smokers. Setting 

Twenty-four general practices in Nottinghamshire, UK. Participants 

Individuals who reported making a quit attempt within the last 6 months. Measurements 

Occurrence, triggers for, support used and success of planned and unplanned quit attempts. Results 

A total of 1805 (51.4%) participants returned completed questionnaires, reporting 394 quit attempts made within the previous 6 months of which 37% were unplanned. Males were significantly more likely to make an unplanned quit attempt [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 1.60, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04-2.46], but the occurrence of unplanned quit attempts did not differ significantly by socio-economic group or amount smoked. The most common triggers for unplanned quit attempts were advice from a general practitioner or health professional (27.9%) and health problems (24.5%). 5.4% and 4.1% of unplanned quit attempts used National Health Service cessation services on a one to one and group basis, respectively, and more than half (51.7%) were made without any support. Nevertheless, unplanned attempts were more likely to be reported to be successful (adjusted OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.23-3.27, P < 0.01). Conclusions 

Unplanned quit attempts are common among smokers in all socio-demographic groups, are triggered commonly by advice from a health professional and are more likely to succeed; however, the majority of these unplanned attempts are unsupported. It is important to develop methods of providing behavioural and/or pharmacological support for these attempts, and determine whether these increase cessation rates still further.

Keywords: Smoking cessation; support; triggers; unplanned

Document Type: Research article

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1360-0443.2009.02647.x

Affiliations: 1: UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies, Division of Epidemiology and Public Health and 2: Division of Primary Care, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK

Publication date: 2009-11-01

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