Factors Associated with Quit Intentions among Adult Smokers in South Korea: Findings from the 2020 ITC Korea Survey

Abstract

Background: South Korea has made substantial progress on tobacco control, but cigarette smoking prevalence is still high. Previous studies were conducted before the use of nicotine vaping products (NVPs) or heated tobacco products (HTPs) became popular. Thus, whether the concurrent use of NVPs or HTPs affects quit intentions among Korean smokers remains a question that needs to be explored. This study aims to identify predictors of quit intentions among cigarette-only smokers and concurrent users of cigarettes and NVPs or HTPs. Methods: Data were from the 2020 International Tobacco Control Korea Survey. Included in the analysis were 3778 adult cigarette smokers: 1900 at-least-weekly exclusive smokers and 1878 at-least-weekly concurrent smokers and HTP or NVP users. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results: Quit intentions were reported by 66.4% of respondents. Factors significantly associated with quit intentions included younger age, having a spouse/partner, lower nicotine dependence, reporting a past quit attempt, regretting starting smoking, believing that smoking had damaged health, worrying that smoking will damage future health, and perceiving health benefits of quitting. Current use of NVPs or HTPs was not significantly associated with quit intentions. Conclusions: This study contributes the following to current literature: intrinsic health-related beliefs were more important than societal norms in shaping quit intentions. These findings should be considered in shaping future smoking cessation policies, such as reinforcing education programs that emphasize the benefits of quitting for personal health reasons, lowering nicotine dependence, and encouraging multiple quit attempts and successful quitting.

Development of a Risk Score to Predict Short-term Smoking Relapse Following an Inpatient Smoking Cessation Intervention

“…6 A previous study showed that while most smokers in Korea were willing to quit (66.4%), less than half of them (35.4%) were willing to quit within 6 months, and the willing-to-quit rate in men is lower than in other similar-income countries. 7 The understanding of traits that amplify the risk of relapse among heavy smokers, despite the advances in tobacco cessation programs, is indeed in its early stages. 8 Previous research has shed light on various factors that influence the likelihood of a smoker returning to tobacco use after attempting to quit and these factors encompass a wide range of emotional, psychological, and social dimensions.…”

“…6 A previous study showed that while most smokers in Korea were willing to quit (66.4%), less than half of them (35.4%) were willing to quit within 6 months, and the willing-to-quit rate in men is lower than in other similar-income countries. 7…”

Psychiatric symptoms and intentions to quit smoking: How regularity and volume of cigarette consumption moderate the relationship

“…Initial quitting intentions are challenging to rise due to complicated impacting factors, including individual demographic characteristics, smoking conditions, and social and cultural norms [5][6][7] . Smokingrelated conditions have also proved to affect quitting intentions, such as the heaviness and duration of smoking.…”

Comparison between Smokers and Smokeless Tobacco Users in Their Past Attempts and Intentions to Quit: Analysis of Two Rounds of a National Survey

“…Moreover, the intention to quit is known to be significantly associated with the previous quitting attempts and their duration [ 8 , 15 , 16 ]. There are several explanations for the relationship between past attempts and future intention to quit.…”