[Reasons that make individuals in a higher education institution to become or not to become smokers]

Experiences of young smokers in quitting smoking in twin cities of Pakistan: a phenomenological study

BACKGROUND

Smoking is highly prevalent in Pakistan claiming the lives of over 100,000 individuals every year. A significant proportion of smokers (24.7%) make an attempt to quit each year but 97.4% fail to quit successfully. Little is known about the reasons for, and experiences of, failed quit attempts. This study was carried out to explore the experiences of young male smokers in quitting smoking in the twin cities of Pakistan METHOD: A qualitative study was carried out using a phenomenological approach in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A total of 11 participants were interviewed. All study participants were male and had made at least one quit attempt. Study participants were a mix of smokers who failed to quit smoking, intermittent smokers and successful quitters. Streubert's (1991) method of phenomenology was followed during data analysis.

RESULTS

The experiences of smokers while smoking "the smoking phase" have major effects on their journey towards quitting smoking. The smoking phase consists of three major stages: contact with initial smoking stimuli, the journey from first puff to enjoying smoking and then finally smoking becoming part of life. However, the journey towards quitting smoking is not as simple as the journey towards becoming a smoker. Instead, smokers get trapped in three overlapping cycles of smoking and quit attempts: smoking & forced quitting, smoking & intentional quitting, and smoking & intermittent smoking before successful quitting. Breaking the cycle is not easy in the presence of trapping factors (addiction, high availability, easy affordability, conducive social setup and low perceived risks of smoking). Three factors play a major role in breaking these cycles which are strong will power, continuous peer support and avoidance of smokers' company.

CONCLUSION

A young smoker, during his experience of quitting smoking gets entrapped in several overlapping cycles of smoking & quit attempts before successful quitting. There are known entrapping factors as well as factors which help in breaking these cycles. Targeted interventions are needed to facilitate smoking cessation among young smokers in Pakistan.

[Understanding unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking: a social phenomenology approach]

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this paper is to understand the experience of smokers in view of unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking.

METHOD

This study is based on social phenomenology. Between November and December of 2014, nine interviews were conducted with people that had attempted to quit smoking. The content of these interviews was analyzed and discussed based on the related literature.

RESULTS

Unsuccessful attempts to quit smoking are related to tobacco addiction; cigarettes are seen as a support to cope with everyday stressful situations. Attempts to quit the smoking habits were based on the need of health improvement and insistence of family and friends. Smokers reported the use of habit cessation strategies learned in support groups, but they also express expectation of specialized psychological support.

CONCLUSION

The study points out the need to expand the strategies of approaching smokers, and reinforcing psychological support in order to achieve success in the attempt to quit smoking.

A motivação como estratégia para cessação do tabagismo

Objetivo: conhecer os aspectos motivacionais relacionados ao abandono do hábito de fumar. Métodos: foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas com nove ex-fumantes nos seus respectivos domicílios, em um bairro de Lages-SC em cujo serviço de atenção primária atua o Programa de Residência em Medicina de Família e Comunidade. A amostra foi obtida por conveniência, obedecendo aos critérios de inclusão: indivíduos maiores de 18 anos classificados como ex-fumantes. A análise das entrevistas foi realizada por meio do Discurso do Sujeito Coletivo (DSC). Resultados: os relatos apresentados evidenciaram a motivação como ferramenta de enfrentamento do tabagismo, ressaltando que ela não é exterior às pessoas, mas, pelo contrário, depende de vontade própria. Conclusão: o processo de abandono do tabagismo é complexo e multifatorial. Exige observação atenta do profissional de saúde e habilidade de criar um ambiente capaz de motivar as pessoas para o cuidado de sua própria saúde.