BARRIERS TO SMOKING CESSATION: RESULTS OF A SURVEY AMONG FAMILY PRACTICE PATIENTS

It is reassuring to note that fifty (52%) smokers wanted to stop smoking while an overwhelming fifty five (55%) had tried to do so in the past. This finding is in keeping with earlier reports from the region (12).

Three attempts at smoking cessation among nineteen (19%) smokers testifies to the seriousness of the smoker's intent to give up this habit. Such failed attempts at smoking cessation are widely reported in literature (13,14).

It is again interesting to note that forty two (76 percent) smokers attempted smoking cessation in the 21 to 40 years age group. Those beyond this age are less likely to attempt smoking cessation. Such information is useful for those who want to target age groups that will be well motivated to quit the habit.

Ninety one (91%) respondents gave up smoking during the fasting month of Ramadan. This is in keeping with the earlier reports of reduced smoking during this period (15,16). It is perhaps the strong spiritual drive that helps an individual to stop smoking during Ramadan but only to resume the practice once the drive has gone. It is

indeed an opportunity to help these individuals give up smoking all together, taking help from the spiritual drive.

It is not surprising to note that it's the craving for smoking, habit of smoking and enjoyment derived from smoking that causes the habit to take its roots again. It happens because the spiritual drive is no longer there.
Our finding that main barriers to smoking cessation are nicotine withdrawal related is again in keeping with the earlier reports (17,18). Craving for smoking, fear of inability to cope with stress and an increase in irritability are some of the symptoms reported by respondents which are due to nicotine withdrawal. The strategy to provide nicotine replacement is already in place (19) and is mandatory for the success of any smoking cessation program.