Predicting Success in a Smoking Control Program

Abstract

Using 10 independent variables, several of which had previously been related to smoking behavior, a regression equation was derived to predict success in a smoking control program. Thirty-one subjects were divided into the main and cross-validation treatment groups. Both groups participated in four 2-hour sessions. Taken individually, none of the predictor variables discriminated between successful and unsuccessful subjects. The regression equation, based on the five best predictors, accurately predicted direction of change of smoking rate 87% of the time.