Smoking cessation: unexpected often successful attempts

While there is still time to implement good resolutions, candidates cessation will probably be interested in the results of a British study published in the "British Medical Journal" (BMJ), which suggests that attempts to unexpected stop are more likely to be successful than those ripened long.

Smoking cessation has been conceptualized as a process involving a series of steps (start consider initiating a process of smoking cessation, really make the decision to quit smoking, then take action), recall and Robert West Taj Sohal, University College London.

Seeking to determine whether the preparation for an attempt to quit smoking actually increases the likelihood that she finally shows successful, these two researchers conducted a survey of 918 smokers who tried to quit smoking at least once and 996 ex-smokers about their various attempts to stop smoking.

Nearly half of smokers (48.6%) reported that their most recent attempt to stop was implemented just after they made the decision to stop.

Surprisingly, the authors note, these unexpected attempts appeared more likely to show successful (that is to say result in a period of cessation of at least six months) than those that have been programmed. Among the 611 quit attempts reported by participants for the period of six months to five years before the survey, 65.4% of unplanned attempts lasted at least six months against only 42.3% of those who were planned .

Thus, among the participants on their own a cessation attempt between six months and five years before the time they responded to the survey, the chances of success appeared 2.6 times greater for attempted unexpected withdrawal for those planned, even after adjustment for age, sex and socioeconomic status

These results do not necessarily mean as far as attempting to quit smoking programmed appear counterproductive, say the authors. Especially, they remind us that the use of behavioral therapy or a nicotine replacement therapy increases the likelihood of a successful attempt to stop smoking, although these approaches are typically associated with smoking cessation planned.

According to them, the fact that smoking cessation attempt scheduled or unscheduled rather reflects the state of mind of the candidate to stop, which obviously has an impact on how long it will succeed in quitting.

British researchers therefore propose a theory that smokers have varying levels of "tension" motivational (according to their beliefs, their previous experiences and their current situation), from which "triggers" could make environmental move to a level sufficient motivation to stop smoking. When this change of mindset is reflected in a sharp and immediate smoking waiver, this "transformation" may be more complete if it merely accompanies the project to quit, reveals a any commitment of the candidate to stop.

The public health campaigns should therefore perhaps be given to create this state of motivational tension, while implementing actions acting as triggers for smokers who are about changing behavior and ensuring immediate availability of treatment to support these efforts (nicotine replacement therapy, tips ...), British researchers suggest.