Eleni Vangeli1, John Stapleton, Robert West. 1. Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, Department of Epidemiology and Public Health, University College London, London, UK. e.vangeli@ucl.ac.uk
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Anecdotal reports suggest that some long-term ex-smokers retain a residual attraction to smoking and a "smoker identity," although little systematic data on this exist. These are important because they may increase the likelihood of relapse. This study aimed to quantify the extent of these characteristics in relation to length of abstinence. METHODS: A postal questionnaire on residual attraction to smoking, smoker identity, and vulnerability to relapse was sent to 1,390 adults known to have been abstinent for 4 weeks after treatment support with a large stop smoking service in England. Time since the end of treatment varied between 6 weeks and 3 years. Three hundred and fifty-seven ex-smokers responded and were included in the analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of ex-smokers reporting a residual attraction to smoking, a smoker identity, and a vulnerability to relapse declined with duration of abstinence (all p < .001), although even among those having 2 years or more of abstinence, 37.4% (95% CI = 27.9%-47.7%) reported some residual attraction and 16.3% (95% CI = 9.6%-25.2%) retained a smoker identity. By contrast, after 2 or more years of abstinence, only 7% thought they would ever return to smoking (95% CI = 2.9%-14.2%). DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that residual attraction to cigarettes is common among long-term ex-smokers, and a significant minority retain a smoker identity. Further studies are needed to determine how far these characteristics are associated with late relapse.
INTRODUCTION: Anecdotal reports suggest that some long-term ex-smokers retain a residual attraction to smoking and a "smoker identity," although little systematic data on this exist. These are important because they may increase the likelihood of relapse. This study aimed to quantify the extent of these characteristics in relation to length of abstinence. METHODS: A postal questionnaire on residual attraction to smoking, smoker identity, and vulnerability to relapse was sent to 1,390 adults known to have been abstinent for 4 weeks after treatment support with a large stop smoking service in England. Time since the end of treatment varied between 6 weeks and 3 years. Three hundred and fifty-seven ex-smokers responded and were included in the analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of ex-smokers reporting a residual attraction to smoking, a smoker identity, and a vulnerability to relapse declined with duration of abstinence (all p < .001), although even among those having 2 years or more of abstinence, 37.4% (95% CI = 27.9%-47.7%) reported some residual attraction and 16.3% (95% CI = 9.6%-25.2%) retained a smoker identity. By contrast, after 2 or more years of abstinence, only 7% thought they would ever return to smoking (95% CI = 2.9%-14.2%). DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that residual attraction to cigarettes is common among long-term ex-smokers, and a significant minority retain a smoker identity. Further studies are needed to determine how far these characteristics are associated with late relapse.
Authors: Kim Pulvers; Taneisha S Scheuermann; Devan R Romero; Brittany Basora; Xianghua Luo; Jasjit S Ahluwalia Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2013-12-01 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Kathryn I Pollak; Laura J Fish; Pauline Lyna; Bercedis L Peterson; Geeta K Swamy; Michele D Levine Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2014-12-26 Impact factor: 4.244
Authors: Christopher W Kahler; Anthony Surace; Rebecca E F Gordon; Patricia A Cioe; Nichea S Spillane; Acacia Parks; Beth C Bock; Richard A Brown Journal: Contemp Clin Trials Date: 2018-06-21 Impact factor: 2.226
Authors: Victoria A Nelson; Maciej L Goniewicz; Emma Beard; Jamie Brown; Kate Sheals; Robert West; Lion Shahab Journal: Drug Alcohol Depend Date: 2015-05-18 Impact factor: 4.492
Authors: Stefanie K Gratale; Angeline Sangalang; Erin K Maloney; Joseph N Cappella Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-09-23 Impact factor: 3.390