A national survey of older smokers: Treatment needs of a growing population.

Abstract

Examined smoking and quitting patterns among 289 smokers ages 50 to 74 years who took part in a nationwide survey of American Association of Retired Persons members. Respondents were predominantly chronic, heavy smokers. They had smoked for an average of 45 years, more than one third smoked 25 or more cigarettes per day, and more than two thirds showed evidence of high nicotine addiction. Nonetheless, most were interested in quitting smoking and reported plans to quit in the next year. Concerns about missing or craving cigarettes; losing a pleasure; and being nervous, tense, or irritable after quitting were the most common barriers to quitting reported. These problems were rated as more serious by heavier, longer term smokers and by smokers with lower quitting self-efficacy. The variables most strongly associated with "contemplating" quitting were beliefs in quitting health benefits, recent attempts to quit or cut down, prior attempts to quit, and high self-efficacy. Limitations of these findings are discussed along with implications for the design of treatments geared to the special needs of older smokers.

The Malay version of the brief questionnaire on smoking urge: Translation and psychometric properties of the questionnaire

“…Craving is often described as an important concept in smoking dependence and the most noticeable and bothersome symptom experienced during the quitting attempt [1]. According to an expert group meeting organized by the United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) and WHO, craving is defined as ''the desire to experience the effect(s) of a previously experienced psychoactive substance [2]''.…”

Older versus younger treatment-seeking smokers: Differences in smoking behavior, drug and alcohol use, and psychosocial and physical functioning

“…It is associated with higher prevalence of bronchitis, shortness of breath, coughing, colds, loss of stamina, pneumonia and osteoporosis (Orleans, Rimer, Cristinzio, Keintz, and Fleisher, 1991). Many older adults use multiple medications, and cigarette smoking complicates therapeutic regimes by altering drug metabolism.…”

“…Data summarized by Orleans, Rimer, Cristinzio, Keintz, and Fleisher, (1991) and by Gourlay and Benowitz, (1996) indicate that the benefits of quitting are marked in individuals over 50 in their effects on cardiovascular disease. An analysis by Peto, Darby, Deo, Silcocks, Whitley, and Doll, (2000) indicated that men who continued smoking to age 75 had a 15.9% risk of lung cancer at that point; those who had stopped by age 60 reduced the risk at age 75 to 9.9%.…”

An exploration of the knowledge, attitudes and practice of members of the primary care team in relation to smoking and smoking cessation in later life

“…The benefits of cessation are almost immediate for conditions such as heart disease and stroke (Orleans et al, 2001). Stopping smoking also reduces the risk of developing cancer and stabilizes existing conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (British Thoracic Society, 1997).…”

“…In recent years a growing body of research has demonstrated that older smokers can derive significant benefits from stopping smoking, despite having smoked for many years (Molander et al, 2001;Orleans, 2001). The benefits of cessation are almost immediate for conditions such as heart disease and stroke (Orleans et al, 2001).…”