Key Factors in Smoking Cessation Intervention Among 15–16-Year-Olds

Abstract

The authors aimed to investigate factors associated with smoking cessation among adolescents after tobacco intervention. They examined smokers (n = 127) from one birth cohort (n = 545) in the city of Kotka in Finland. These smokers were randomized in 3 intervention groups the dentist (n = 44) and the school nurse (n = 42 groups), and a control group (n = 39). After 2 months, the authors sent a follow-up questionnaire to the initial smokers to find out who had quit.

The authors found that those whose best friend was a nonsmoker were more likely to stop smoking (relative risk RR 7.0 95% Cl 4.6-10.7). Moreover, the nicotine-dependent participants (measured according to the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence ³⁶ ) were less likely to stop (RR 0.1 95% Cl 0.08–0.11) compared to non-nicotine dependent participants. Last, of the diurnal types, the morning types found it easier to quit smoking than the evening types (RR 2.2 95% Cl 1.4–3.6). Thus, the authors concluded that the best friend''s influence, nicotine dependence, and diurnal type could be taken more into account in individual counseling on smoking cessation.

Index Terms:

• adolescents
• best friend
• diurnal type
• nicotine dependence
• smoking cessation

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This study was supported by Helsinki University Central Hospital grant TYH3245, the City of Kotka, the Cultural Foundation of Kymenlaakso, the Yrjö Jahnsson Foundation, Kymin Osakeyhtiön 100-vuotissäätiö and the Finnish Dental Society Apollonia. The authors also thank Professor Mats Brommels, Dr. Outi Elonheimo, Dr. Timo Kauppila, Dr. Tuula Karhula and Mr. Santeri Huvinen for fruitful discussions.

Copyright © 2009 Heldref Publications

Notes

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