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Evaluation of long-term quitters: who stays smoke free forever?

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Summary

Background

Smoking cessation is one of the most powerful health promotion tools in the Western world. Behavioral group therapies are regarded as very promising interventions in this field. Quitting rates are usually evaluated after 6–12 months and lie between 30 and 45%. So far, there are no scientific data on potential protective indicators to remain successfully smoke free after this period. Therefore, the aim of this study was to detect the current smoking status of former participants of a cessation service in an urban German surrounding. We investigated reasons for relapses, quitting strategies, and psychosocial parameters.

Methods

In 2019, 130 former patients (2011–2017; mean age 54 years; 37 pack/years; Fagerstroem = 5.75; 58.5% male, 41.5% female; 66% physical comorbidities; 35% psychiatric diagnoses) were invited to participate in a mailed survey (including WHO 5, SF 12, self-efficacy scale) and were asked about their current smoking status, personal history of smoking, and individual experiences with stopping after the 1‑year abstinence date.

Results

A total of 53 persons replied (RR 41%), 29 (54%) of whom are currently smoke free; 24 relapsed intermittently or permanently, 9 experimented with e‑cigarettes, and 2 became dual users. Daily hassles as well as physical and mental challenges were the main reasons for relapsing.

Conclusion

Due to the low response rate, conclusions are limited; however, the 1‑year abstinence rate might not be as reliable as thought so far; long-term “sober” nicotine addicts remain at risk of relapse.

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Acknowledgements

We would like to thank all participants who took part in this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Vivantes Netzwerk für Gesundheit GmbH, Rudower Straße 48, 12351, Berlin, Germany

    Karin Vitzthum &  Wulf Pankow

  2. Humboldt Universität Berlin, Unter den Linden 6, 10099, Berlin, Germany

    Alicia Drazetic & Maggie Rohde

  3. Technische Universität Chemnitz, Wilhelm-Raabe-Straße 43, 09120, Chemnitz, Germany

    Anne Markstein

  4. Zentralinstitut für Arbeitsmedizin und Maritime Medizin (ZfAM), Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Seewartenstraße 10, 20459, Hamburg, Germany

    Stefanie Mache

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  1. Karin Vitzthum
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Correspondence to Karin Vitzthum.

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K. Vitzthum, A. Drazetic, A. Markstein, M. Rohde, W. Pankow, and S. Mache declare that they have no competing interests.

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Vitzthum, K., Drazetic, A., Markstein, A. et al. Evaluation of long-term quitters: who stays smoke free forever?. Wien Med Wochenschr 171, 330–334 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10354-020-00797-4

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