Exploring Smokers’ Knowledge and Expectations Toward Nicotine Vaccination: A Qualitative Study

Abstract

Knowledge and expectations toward smoking cessation therapies may influence effectiveness. Nicotine vaccination is a novel and promising new therapy for smoking cessation. This qualitative study explored smokers’ knowledge and expectations toward nicotine vaccination as well as varenicline and counseling for smoking cessation. We conducted focus group discussions and interviews in 25 smokers at Maastricht University, the Netherlands, in 2010. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis. Participants had serious misconceptions about the purpose of nicotine vaccination, particularly the belief that nicotine vaccines reduce craving. Expectations toward counseling were highest. These results underline misconceptions smokers can have about cessation therapies.

Keywords :

• expectations
• knowledge
• nicotine vaccination
• qualitative research
• smokers
• smoking cessation

THE AUTHORS

Philippe Hoogsteder, MD, is a trainee and researcher at the Department of General Practice at Maastricht University. His research topics include smoking cessation, nicotine vaccination, and primary care.

Martijn van Merrebach, MSc, is a trainee at the Department of General Practice at Maastricht University. His research interest includes smoking cessation in primary care.

Marjanneke Otters, MSc, is a trainee at the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at Maastricht University.

Professor Onno van Schayck, PhD, has had and currently has extensive influence on the development of asthma and COPD research in primary care. Currently, in a multidisciplinary setting, Van Schayck is working to develop and test new pharmacological, as well as nonpharmacological approaches for smoking cessation in primary care at Maastricht University.

Daniel Kotz, PhD, is a researcher at the Department of General Practice at Maastricht University. His research interests include epidemiological research on nicotine and tobacco addiction (epidemiology, behavioral and pharmacological treatment, economic and policy evaluations), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (early diagnosis, prediction, prevention), research methodology, and statistics.