Dr. Adams
12-23-2006, 10:12 AM
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported in teens and young adults more likely to use unassisted methods for smoking cessation
Young smokers aged 16 to 24 years are more likely to use unassisted cessation methods rather than those recommended by the Public Health Service.
Recommended smoking cessation strategies for adults include talking with a healthcare professional, use of nicotine-replacement products, bupropion therapy, counseling, participating in a program or class, and calling a telephone helpline.
Study results showed that whereas 6 of 11 unassisted methods were each used by at least 36% of respondents, only 1 (talking with a nurse, physician, or dentist) of 13 assisted methods was used by at least 20% of young adults in this age group.
Most (88.3%) relied on decreasing the number of cigarettes they smoked, while 56% tried not buying cigarettes, 51.0% exercised more, 47.5% tried to quit with a friend, 44.5% told others they no longer smoked, and 36.1% switched to light cigarettes.
Women were more likely than men to seek help from health professionals (24.9% vs 15.6%), to quit with a friend (52.1% vs 43.2%), and to use self-help pamphlets or videos (19.5% vs 12.5%). Men were more likely to try nicotine gum (20.3% vs 14.4%), use a strategy of increased exercise (55.7% vs 46.0%), and switch to chewing tobacco, snuff, or other products (18.1% vs 1.6%).
The CDC notes that the high proportion of respondents who tried to quit smoking by switching to light cigarettes (36.1% overall) or other tobacco products (18.0% among men) is a concern due to the associated risk for undermining cessation efforts.
Preliminary evidence suggests that clinical interventions that incorporate cognitive-behavioral approaches are the most promising, particularly in smokers younger than 18 years for whom pharmacotherapy (eg, nicotine-replacement products or bupropion) is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Young smokers aged 16 to 24 years are more likely to use unassisted cessation methods rather than those recommended by the Public Health Service.
Recommended smoking cessation strategies for adults include talking with a healthcare professional, use of nicotine-replacement products, bupropion therapy, counseling, participating in a program or class, and calling a telephone helpline.
Study results showed that whereas 6 of 11 unassisted methods were each used by at least 36% of respondents, only 1 (talking with a nurse, physician, or dentist) of 13 assisted methods was used by at least 20% of young adults in this age group.
Most (88.3%) relied on decreasing the number of cigarettes they smoked, while 56% tried not buying cigarettes, 51.0% exercised more, 47.5% tried to quit with a friend, 44.5% told others they no longer smoked, and 36.1% switched to light cigarettes.
Women were more likely than men to seek help from health professionals (24.9% vs 15.6%), to quit with a friend (52.1% vs 43.2%), and to use self-help pamphlets or videos (19.5% vs 12.5%). Men were more likely to try nicotine gum (20.3% vs 14.4%), use a strategy of increased exercise (55.7% vs 46.0%), and switch to chewing tobacco, snuff, or other products (18.1% vs 1.6%).
The CDC notes that the high proportion of respondents who tried to quit smoking by switching to light cigarettes (36.1% overall) or other tobacco products (18.0% among men) is a concern due to the associated risk for undermining cessation efforts.
Preliminary evidence suggests that clinical interventions that incorporate cognitive-behavioral approaches are the most promising, particularly in smokers younger than 18 years for whom pharmacotherapy (eg, nicotine-replacement products or bupropion) is not approved by the US Food and Drug Administration.