Factors influencing the success of smoking cessation among adolescents

BACKGROUND: In addition to traditional behavioral interventions, in 2004 the Bureau of Health Promotion (BHP) in Taiwan initiated a new program to encourage smoking cessation through pharmaceutical subsidies. However, while pharmaceutical treatment for smoking cessation is restricted to adult smokers aged 18 and older, adolescent smokers can only rely on behavioral interventions alone. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore factors influencing the success of smoking cessation among adolescents from the perspective of health professionals. We further sought to identify which situations were high-risk for relapse. METHODS: This study utilized a self-administered mailed questionnaire census survey administered to key health professionals sourced from those nationwide BHP contracted hospitals and health centers providing both pharmaceutical and educational interventions for adult smoking cessation in 2012. RESULTS: Altogether, 512 out of the total 611 questionnaires were returned achieving a response rate of 84%. Of these, 113 (23%) provided behavioral intervention programs for adolescent smokers. Based on the results of the multiple response questionnaires, the key health professionals thought that the three major factors in cessation success include having clear cessation motivation (64%), social support from friends and relatives (43%), and willpower (41%). The three most high-risk situations identified for smoking relapse included peer temptation (95%), having smoking family members (67%), and encountering stressful events (35%). Conclusion: Current smoking cessation programs for adolescent smokers are insufficient. Adolescents are particularly vulnerable to environmental factors and peer influence, thus future intervention programs will need to be cognizant of these hurdles to achieve sustainable results.