Potential sources of cessation support for high smoking prevalence groups: a qualitative study

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to: i) explore potential sources of cessation support as nominated by disadvantaged smokers; and ii) identify factors influencing decisions to use these sources. Methods Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 84 smokers accessing community service organisations from the alcohol and other drugs, homeless, and mental health sectors. Transcripts were coded and thematically analysed. Results Doctors emerged as the most commonly recognised source of cessation support, followed by Quitline, community service organisation staff; and online resources. The main factors contributing to the possible use of these sources of support were identified as awareness, perceived usefulness and anticipated emotional support. Conclusions The results suggest that doctors are an important group to consider when developing cessation interventions for disadvantaged smokers due to their recognised ability to provide practical and emotional support. However, efforts are needed to ensure doctors are aware of the benefits of cessation for these groups. Community service organisations appear to be another potentially effective source of cessation support for disadvantaged smokers. Implications for public health The results indicate that cessation interventions among high‐priority groups should endeavour to provide personalised emotional and practical support. Doctors and community service organisation staff appear to be well‐placed to deliver this support.

A population-level analysis of changes in Australian smokers’ preferences for smoking cessation support over two decades - from 1998 to 2017

“…health conditions, indicated that they preferred supported methods when discussing methods of support associated with past and future quit attempts. 10 In 2019, while using NRT (17%) and asking a doctor for help to quit (10%) were the most common assisted methods of attempting to quit by Australian smokers in the previous 12 months, 23% had tried to quit by 'going cold turkey'. 11 A 2015 report on current smokers with at least one quit attempt indicated that 38% had never used a supported method, whereas 54% had used NRT and 18% had used the Quitline at least once.…”

Exploring features of social support in a Chinese online smoking cessation community: A multidimensional content analysis of user interaction data

“…15 Besides, doctors are regarded as sources of cessation support due to their recognized ability to provide practical and emotional support. 25 However, these assistance methods are limited by the time and space and rely on the physicianpatient connection, which might not entirely meet smokers' personalized needs, particularly their age, smoking frequency, willingness, and quitting stages. 26 Additionally, smokers may feel reluctant or ashamed to share their situations concerning their privacy and pressure from media or non-smokers.…”

Antecedents and Consequences of Perceived Usefulness of Smoking Cessation Online Health Communities

“…The positive effects from emotional support on smoking cessation have been reported during traditional interventions, such as phone counselling [39]. In addition, anticipated emotional support has been deemed an important reason for smokers to use doctors, quit lines, and community service organization staffs, as such emotional support can help them with smoking cession performance [40]. Here, we assume that emotional support from smoking cessation OHCs will help smokers enhance their confidence in smoking cessation, as well as their smoking cessation performance.…”