Document Type
Article (Restricted)
Publication Date
1-1-2012
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Many smokers attempt to quit smoking, but very few succeed. OBJECTIVE: To identify the timing and risk factors involved in smoking relapse. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study among staff in two public universities in Malaysia. Behavioural therapy with free nicotine replacement therapy was given as treatment. Participants were followed up for 6 months. Relapse was defined as returning to smoking after having quit for at least 24 h. RESULTS: Of 185 smokers who volunteered to participate, 120 achieved at least 24-h abstinence, and 80 of these relapsed within 2 months. Compared to participants who attended a single smoking cessation session, participants who attended three sessions had a lower likelihood of relapse within 6 months of quitting. In contrast, smokers with a much longer exposure to cigarette smoking in the workplace (>3 h per week) had a greater chance of relapse compared to those with no exposure. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent attendance at clinic sessions and less exposure to other people smoking in the workplace can potentially reduce the likelihood of relapse among smokers who have recently quit.
Keywords
Smoking relapse, environment, worksite, smoking cessation, Malaysian
Divisions
fac_med
Publication Title
International Journal of Tuberculosis and Lung Disease
Volume
16
Issue
7
Additional Information
Yasin, S. M. Moy, F. M. Retneswari, M. Isahak, M. Koh, D. ---> Correspondence to: Siti Munira Yasin, Population Health and Preventive Medicine Unit, Faculty of Medicine, MARA University of Technology, UiTM Sungai Buloh Campus, Jalan Hospital, 47000 Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia. Tel: (+60) 192 515 325. Fax: (+60) 3 6126 5224. e-mail: sitimu.yasin@gmail.com; smunira@salam.uitm.edu.my