Characteristics of cigarette smokers who want to quit now versus quit later

Jessica L. Burris, Amy E. Wahlquist, Matthew J. Carpenter

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

12 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study evaluated factors associated with adult smokers' immediate readiness to quit. Eligible smokers were proactively recruited online and invited to participate in either a telephone-based study for those who intend to quit in the next 30. days (Quit Now) or a telephone-based study for those who intend to quit, but not in the next month (Quit Later). Thirty-five percent of smokers declined participation altogether. Of those who remained, 25% chose Quit Now participation. Baseline data were collected via mail questionnaire and telephone interview. Quit Now and Quit Later participants (N=1132) differed on demographic, smoking history, and psychological variables. Independent predictors of Quit Now group membership included younger age, stronger intention to quit in the next six months, greater self-efficacy to cope with temptation to smoke, and more support from significant others related to quit attempts-much of which is modifiable. Understanding factors that predict smokers' immediate readiness to quit (measured here as Quit Now group membership) could contribute to the development of smoking cessation treatments tailored for smokers who are seemingly not yet ready to quit.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2257-2260
Number of pages4
JournalAddictive Behaviors
Volume38
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Jun 2013

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
Funding for this study was provided by the National Institute on Drug Abuse grants R01DA021619, K23DA020482, and T32DA007288. The National Institute on Drug Abuse had no role in the study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of the data, the manuscript preparation, or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

Keywords

  • Clinical trial enrollment
  • Quit attempts
  • Readiness to change
  • Smoking
  • Smoking cessation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Toxicology
  • Psychiatry and Mental health

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