Predictors of quit attempts and successful quit attempts in a nationally representative sample of smokers

Abstract

Although most current smokers report that they would like to quit, most quit attempts fail suggesting that predictors of quitting attempts may differ from those of successful attempts. We examined sociodemographic and clinical predictors of quit attempts and successful quit attempts in a nationally representative sample of US adults. Data was collected in 2001-2002 (Wave 1) and 2004-2005 (Wave 2). Almost 40% of individuals who had not previously attempted to quit, tried to quit over the next three years; only 4.6% of those who tried had succeeded at the time of the evaluation. Hispanics, Asians, individuals with high income, and those with college education were less likely to attempt to quit, whereas those with daily nicotine use, younger age at first use and most symptoms of dependence were more likely to do so. Having an educational level below high school and older age at first nicotine use were predictors of successful quitting. Despite relatively high rates of quit attempts, rates of success are extremely low, indicating a gap between the public health need of decreasing tobacco use, and existing means to achieve it. Although there is a need to encourage people to quit tobacco, there may be an equally large need to develop more effective interventions that increase the rate of successful quit attempts.

Unaided Smoking Cessation in Healthy Employees

“…The chance to successfully quit smoking without any help in a first or second attempt is considerably high. In line with previous research [53], the results of our analysis demonstrate that the more numerous quit attempts smokers make, the likelier it is that they will not be able to succeed on their own and therefore, they would benefit from behavioral or pharmacological support. In contrast, some studies reported that several quit attempts are typically necessary before lifelong success can be achieved [54], and their data suggest that it takes 10–14 attempts before a smoker definitively stops smoking.…”

Smoking Cessation Among Racial/Ethnic Minorities, 2010–2014

“…Of the studies that do include smokers from diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds, most do not include adequate representation from Asian Americans, Pacific Islanders, American Indians/Native Alaskans, Native Hawaiians [e.g., 10,29,32,41] or multiracial smokers [e.g., 10,29,32,33,41]. Moreover, consideration of race/ethnic differences including these groups is lacking [e.g., 30,42].…”

“…This study was limited by its cross-sectional design and non-representation of other racial/ ethnic groups. Rafful et al [33] examined sociodemographic correlates of quit attempts in a nationally representative sample of smokers. They found that the odds of making a quit attempt during a 3-year period were lower among Hispanics and Asians, compared to Whites.…”

Comparison of Smoking Cessation Between Education Groups: Findings From 2 US National Surveys Over 2 Decades

“…One study even reported the reverse association between education and cessation; smokers with less education were more successful at quitting than were those with more education. 19 …”