Cheangaivendan Chezhian1, Shruti Murthy2, Satish Prasad3, Jyoti Bala Kasav2, Surapaneni Krishna Mohan2, Sangeeta Sharma4, Awnish Kumar Singh2, Ashish Joshi5. 1. MBBS Student, Saveetha Young Medical Researchers Group (SYMRG), Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saveetha University , Saveetha Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India . 2. Public Health Researcher, Department of Public Health, Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society , New Delhi, India . 3. Environmental Health Researcher, Department of Public Health, Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society , New Delhi, India . 4. Associate Professor & Vice Principal, Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saveetha University , Saveetha Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India . 5. Assistant Dean and Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, CUNY School of Public Health , New York, USA .
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Worldwide, cigarette smoking kills 5 million people annually, and leads to illness, disability and death. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing smoking initiation and cessation among current smokers in Chennai, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2013 in Chennai, India. A convenient sample of 100 current smokers aged >15 years was enrolled. A modified version of Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screen Test (ASSIST) questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographics, smoking initiation and cessation, expenditure on smoking products and perceptions on incentives for smoking cessation. RESULTS: Surrounding influence (44%), stress (42%) and fun (40%) were major reasons for smoking initiation. Majority of participants (68%) attempted to quit smoking within past 6 months but failed. Health promotion programs (61%) and financial incentives (20%) were perceived to be helpful in smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation strategies, especially at workplaces, should target the multi-factorial nature of smoking initiation and cessation. There is a need to review national guidelines to evaluate the accessibility and availability of smoking products in and around the workplace.
INTRODUCTION: Worldwide, cigarette smoking kills 5 million people annually, and leads to illness, disability and death. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing smoking initiation and cessation among current smokers in Chennai, India. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2013 in Chennai, India. A convenient sample of 100 current smokers aged >15 years was enrolled. A modified version of Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screen Test (ASSIST) questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographics, smoking initiation and cessation, expenditure on smoking products and perceptions on incentives for smoking cessation. RESULTS: Surrounding influence (44%), stress (42%) and fun (40%) were major reasons for smoking initiation. Majority of participants (68%) attempted to quit smoking within past 6 months but failed. Health promotion programs (61%) and financial incentives (20%) were perceived to be helpful in smoking cessation. CONCLUSION: Smoking cessation strategies, especially at workplaces, should target the multi-factorial nature of smoking initiation and cessation. There is a need to review national guidelines to evaluate the accessibility and availability of smoking products in and around the workplace.
Entities:
Keywords:
Advocacy; Cessation; Prevention; Public policy; Socio-economic status
Authors: Kevin G Volpp; Andrea B Troxel; Mark V Pauly; Henry A Glick; Andrea Puig; David A Asch; Robert Galvin; Jingsan Zhu; Fei Wan; Jill DeGuzman; Elizabeth Corbett; Janet Weiner; Janet Audrain-McGovern Journal: N Engl J Med Date: 2009-02-12 Impact factor: 91.245
Authors: Jeffrey F Scherrer; Hong Xian; Hui Pan; Michele L Pergadia; Pamela A F Madden; Julia D Grant; Carolyn E Sartor; Jon Randolph Haber; Theodore Jacob; Kathleen K Bucholz Journal: Addict Behav Date: 2011-10-15 Impact factor: 3.913