Korean J Fam Pract.  2022 Apr;12(2):93-100. 10.21215/kjfp.2022.12.2.93.

Factors Associated with Successful Smoking Cessation in Outpatient Smokers after the Initiation of National Smoking Cessation Support Program

• Lee HJ
• Kang SY
• Huh Y
• Sunwoo S

• KMID: 2528443
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2022.12.2.93

Abstract

Background
The morbidity and mortality associated with tobacco use constitute a major health burden worldwide. International efforts are being made to legislate laws and policies for smoke-free environments and smoking cessation. We investigated the factors associated with successful smoking cessation and thereby contribute to lower smoking prevalence.
Methods
We hypothesized that the effect of a smoking cessation treatment could be appropriately evaluated after at least three sessions. A total of 202 patients who visited the smoking cessation clinic of Asan Medical Center from April 2015 to December 2019, were included in the analyses. Data on the participants’ basic demographic characteristics, smoking patterns, and smoking cessation treatment were collected from electronic medical records. Thereafter, smoking cessation was assessed using point prevalence abstinence data. Success was defined as a self-report of no smoking for seven days before a follow-up.
Results
The patients who visited the clinic at intervals of 30 days or more had lower odds of succeeding at smoking cessation (odds ratio, 0.35; 95% confidence interval, 0.18–0.67). However, the variables related to demographic characteristics and past smoking patterns did not show a significant association with successful smoking cessation.
Conclusion
When the interval between sessions was less than 30 days, the patients showed higher odds of smoking cessation success. Unlike nonmodifiable factors such as demographic characteristics, the interval between sessions is a modifiable variable that can be controlled during smoking cessation counseling. Thus, it is desirable for patients to have short term follow-ups in the early phase of treatment.

Keyword

Smoking; Smoking Cessation; Clinic Study; Korea