The effect of anticipatory strategies on the first day of smoking cessation.

The authors tested a model hypothesizing the predictors and the effects of anticipatory strategy use on the 1st day of smoking cessation using data from 63 participants in an ecological momentary assessment study of smoking cessation. Remaining abstinent on the 1st day of cessation was not associated with mean level of urges to smoke during tempting situations but was associated with anticipatory strategy use, which accounted for 18% of the variance. Getting rid of cigarettes contributed the most to this effect (beta = -.397). Getting rid of cigarettes was itself predicted by 2 variables, lower nicotine dependence (beta = -.264) and attending a formal smoking cessation class (beta = .305), which accounted for 15% of its variance.