In Japan, nicotine replacement therapies are not so popular for smoking cessation, as they are available upon prescriptions only and not refundable by Japanese health insurance scheme. A survey was performed to evaluate the need for nicotine replacement therapies. (Material and method) A questionnaire survey was performed in 2048 individuals in Maizuru city (94,000 inhabitants). Ex-smokers (GroupA ) were compared with smokers who failed to quit smoking (GroupB). (Results) 384 individuals belonged to GroupA and 310 individuals to GroupB. The length of smoking habits was 12.8 years in GroupA and 21.2 years in GroupB (p<0.05). The amount of knowledge about evil of smoking (Number of selected correct answers from 8 questions) was 6.9 in GroupA and 6.4 in GroupB (p<0.05). The amount of knowledge about evil of second–handed smoke (Number from 7 questions) was 5.7 in GroupA and 5.3 in GroupB (p<0.05). In GroupB the numbers of attempts to stop smoking was 2.7 and the duration of abstinence was 13.5 months in average. The latter correlate with FIND test score evaluation of addiction to nicotine)(correlation coefficient –0.169, p<0.05). (Discussion) The amount of knowledge about negative health effects about tobacco seems to be a key point. Also the duration of abstinence had relation to FIND test score in Group B suggests addiction to nicotine or not is another key point. In Japan knowledge about negative health effects about tobacco is diffused by several method. (Conclusion) To reduce smoking rates, easy access to nicotine replacement therapies and spreading evil of tobacco are important.
Learning Objectives: The reduction of smoking rates is urgently needed to achieve Smoke Free 21st Century. However in Japan, nicotine replacement therapies are not so a popular alternative for smoking cessation, as they are available upon prescriptions only and not refundable by Japanese health insurance scheme. A survey was performed to evaluate the need for nicotine replacement therapies in Japan. (Material and method) A questionnaire survey was performed in 2048 individuals working in Maizuru city (94,000 inhabitants). Ex-smokers (Group A ) were compared with smokers who failed to quit smoking (Group B). (Results) 384 individuals belonged to Group A and 310 individuals to Group B. The length of smoking habits was 12.8 +/- 10.6 years in Group A and 21.2 +/- 11.6 years in Group B (p<0.05). The amount of knowledge about negative health effects of smoking (it was evaluated from selected correct answers from 8 questions) was 6.9 +/- 1.7 in Group A and 6.4 +/- 1.9 in Group B (p<0.05). The amount of knowledge about negative health effects of second–handed smoke (it was evaluated from selected correct answers from 7 questions) was 5.7 +/- 1.7 in Group A and 5.3 +/- 1.8 in Group B (p<0.05). The average age of starting smoking was 18.0 years old in Group A and 17.9 years old in Group B (n.s.) 66.8% of Group A stopped smoking on the day they took their decision to quit smoking. In Group B the numbers of attempts to stop smoking was 2.7 and the duration of abstinence was 13.5 months in average. The latter correlate with FIND test score evaluation of addiction to nicotine)(correlation coefficient –0.169, p<0.05). (Discussion) The amount of knowledge about negative health effects about tobacco seems to be a key point. Also the duration of abstinence had relation to FIND test score in Group B suggests addiction to nicotine or not is another key point. In Japan knowledge about negative health effects about tobacco is diffused by several method. However to decrease smoking rates, only spreading the knowledge is not enough and nicotine replacement therapies should become standard to quit smoking. (Conclusion) To reduce smoking rates, easy access to nicotine replacement therapies and spreading evil of tobacco are important
Keywords: Tobacco, Smoking Cessation
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.