Effect of physical and mental health on smoking cessation in smokers in England aged 50 and over
| Author(s)
Anna Stubbs, Rachael Murray and Sarah Lewis
| | Presenter(s) |
Anna Stubbs University of Nottingham | Abstract Background
Factors influencing older smokers to quit has received little research attention. This would be valuable in developing tailored interventions.
Objectives
To analyse the impact of existing, and new onset of, physical and mental health problems on smoking cessation.
Methods
Using waves 1 to 4 of the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing, the patterns of smoking cessation and the self-reported factors influencing these decisions were described in smokers aged 50 and over. Logistic regression was used to determine the impact of existing, and onset of new, physical (cardiac, respiratory and cancer) and mental health problems (depression and loneliness) on smoking cessation.
Results
The most common reason given for smokers to quit was that ‘it was unhealthy’. Quitting by wave 2 was significantly less likely in those with baseline depression (OR 0.69, 95% CI 0.50-0.97, p 0.03), and baseline loneliness (OR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41-0.92, p 0.02). Quitting by wave 4 was significantly more likely in those with onset of a cardiac problem (OR 1.89 95% CI 1.42-2.51, p <0.001), or onset of a respiratory problem (OR 1.54 95% CI 1.08-2.19, p 0.02).
Conclusions
This study provides new insight for the development of smoking cessation strategies adapted to benefit this demographic.
| Presenter biography Third year medical student at the University of Nottingham. Research was carried out as part of the intercalated BMedSci qualification, under the Division of Public Health and Epidemiology.
| Source of funding: University of Nottingham.
| Declaration of interest: None
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