Are predictors of making a quit attempt the same as predictors of 3-month abstinence from smoking? Findings from a sample of smokers recruited for a study of computer-tailored smoking cessation advice in primary care

AimsTo identify predictors of quit attempts and of 3-month abstinence from cigarette smoking. DesignSecondary analysis of data gathered for a two-armed randomized controlled trial with 6-month follow-up. SettingA total of 123 general practices across the United Kingdom. ParticipantsA total of 4397 participants who completed the 6-month follow-up. Participants were categorized on self-reported smoking behaviour at 6-month follow-up as non-attempters (n=2664), attempted quitters (n=1548) and successful quitters (n=185). MeasuresDemographic characteristics, smoking history and nicotine dependence, cognitive and social-environmental factors measured at baseline were examined as potential predictors of quit attempts and 3-month abstinence. FindingsUnivariate predictors of quit attempts included commitment [odds ratio (OR)=11.64, 95% confidence interval (CI)=8.30-16.32], motivation (OR=2.10, 95% CI=1.98-2.22) and determination to quit (OR=1.94, 95% CI=1.83-2.05). Successful quitting was associated with being married (OR=1.51, 95% CI=1.11-2.05), lower social deprivation (OR=0.47, 95% CI=0.30-0.74), higher reading level (OR=1.62, 95% CI=1.19-2.21) and lower nicotine dependence (OR=0.42, 95% CI=0.29-0.62). Health problems related to smoking and previous quit attempts for 3months or longer predicted both. In the multivariate analysis, the significant predictors of making a quit attempt were; later stage of readiness to quit (OR=5.38, 95% CI=3.67-7.89), motivation (OR=1.48, 95% CI=1.34-1.62) and determination to quit (OR=1.16, 95% CI=1.05-1.29) and health problems related to smoking (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.18-1.75). For 3-month abstinence, the only significant predictor was not having health problems related to smoking (OR=0.50, 95% CI=0.29-0.83). ConclusionsWhile high motivation and determination to quit is necessary to prompt an attempt to quit smoking, demographic factors and level of nicotine dependence are more important for maintaining abstinence.