Predictors of Smoking Cessation Attempt and Continued Abstinence among Low-Income Disabled Smokers: Evidence from the French National Smoking Cessation Cohort CDT-Net

Abstract

Background: In France, daily smoking has been highly prevalent among low-income smokers.

Objectives: Our aim was to search for factors associated with both continued abstinence and attempting to quit among low-income disabled smokers. Methods: From the French national smoking cessation cohort CDT-net, we included 1624 adults living with disability pension or disabled adult allowance. Our dependent variables (abstainers, attempting to quit among non-abstainers) were used in logistic regressions. Continued abstinence was defined as self-reports of no smoking for more than 28 days and attempting to quit was defined as self-reports of no smoking for less than 28 days; both validated with carbon monoxide < 10 ppm. Results: The average age was 48.5 years, with a predominance of men (55.5%). Achieved continued abstinence was 29.9% and was positively associated with age ≥ 55, history of previous attempts, low-dependence, and number of consultations during follow-up (all p < .05). Depression history, anxiety symptoms and cannabis use were negatively associated with continued abstinence (p < .05). Quit attempts were associated with lower dependence and number of consultations during follow-up. Pharmacological treatments prescribed at inception did not contribute to improve continued abstinence rates but varenicline was found to increase quit attempts unless the number of prescriptions was scarce. Conclusion: Even among low-income disabled smokers, achieving continued abstinence and attempting to quit could be promoted with similar predictors than among affluent smokers. Treatment of anxiety symptoms and specific support for smokers with a depression history could be included in the follow-up of quit attempts.

Keywords:

• Smoking
• smoking cessation
• low-income
• disability
• nicotine replacement therapy
• behavioral support
• depression
• nicotine dependence

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Pr Gilbert Lagrue for his investment in helping smoking cessation knowledge and development in France (1922-2016).

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Notes

1 Cardiovascular diseases (angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, peripheral arterial obstructive disease, stroke)

2 Cardiovascular diseases (myocardial infarction, arteritis of the lower limbs, stroke)

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the foundation “Gilbert Lagrue” by a Grant dedicated to the national database of smoking cessation services CDTnet.