Opinions on Smoking and Smoking Cessation: A Qualitative Research

Abstract

oBJeCTIVe: The aim of this research was to determine the views of both smokers and non-smokers on smoking and cessation of smoking. MATerIAL ANd MeTHods:This research was the focus group study performed with 33 subjects participating in the Balcova Heart Project (BHP). resULTs:The smokers described smoking mostly as a friend whereas non-smokers described smoking as illness and unsoundness and associated with death. The smokers indicated that the causes of cigarette smoking were a way of coping in difficulty and being accepted as friends; however, non-smokers indicated the cause of smoking was "pretension". All of them reported that the basic factor for cessation of smoking is self-control. Smokers signified that service for cessation of smoking should be free, continuous, and applied by experts. Informational meetings should have explanations of methods of cessation of smoking, affectivity in smoking cessation process, and health differences after cessation smoking. CoNCLUsIoN:Perceptions of smokers and non-smokers on cigarette were different. Services related to cessation of smoking should be free, continuous, and given by experts. Key words: Smoking, smoking cessation, qualitative research INTrodUCTIoNSmoking is the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. More than five millions of smokingrelated early deaths occur every year throughout the world. This number is estimated to reach up to eight millions until 2030 [1]. It is predicted that 80% of the early deaths will occur in developing and underdeveloped countries [1]. The success proven prevention policies should be introduced to control this outbreak. The World Health Organization (WHO) introduced six measures called "MPOWER". These measures include Monitor -tobacco use and prevention policies, Protect -people from tobacco smoke, Offer -help to quit tobacco smoke, Warn -about the dangers of tobacco, Enforce -bans on tobacco advertising, promotion, and sponsorship, Raise -taxes on tobacco [2].It is important to determine the needs and opinions of smokers in order to achieve a proper and effective way in attempting to quit smoking which is one of those policies against tobacco outbreak. It is also important for the individuals to feel ready for quitting tobacco to benefit effectively from the quit-smoking programs. According to the transtheoretical model (TTM), an individual progresses through a series of stages during quitting smoking; reluctance/pre-awareness, awareness, preparation for action (planning), action (implementation of the plan), maintenance, relapse, and re-entrance to the cycle [3]. This model which has been reported as appropriate for community based interventions has been shown to have high rates of success and maintenance as it allows planning for the needs of individuals [4].According to the Global Adult Tobacco Survey, 26.5% individuals who used to smoke regularly in a period of their life span quitted smoking. Of the individuals who smoke currently and quitted smoking within the past 12 months, 44.8% had an attempt...