Cigarette Smoking and Quitting among Young Adults In Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Research on the dynamics of cigarette smoking and cessation though scarce in Nigeria are needed for successful tobacco control. The study evaluated cigarette smoking and quitting among young adults inEnugu, Nigeria. This was a cross sectional questionnaire-based survey undertaken in March 2007. There were 714 study aged 18-35years selected using a 3-stage cluster sampling method. The current cigarette smoking prevalence among respondents was 150(21.0%) in all, 133(35.4%) inmales and 17(5.0%) in females while the proportion of daily cigarette smokers were 83(11.6%) in all, 75(19.9%) in males and 8(2.4%) in females. Predictors of current smoking included themale sex, being agedmore than 23 years and having a low perception of tobacco harm.Themajority of current smokers desired 94(63.5%) and attempted 90(60.0%) to quit smoking but many101 (67.3%) expressed the need for assistance. Among the past smokers, the popular reason for stopping smoking was health concerns 44 (59.4%). Nicotine patch was the only assisted cessation method used by one person (1.9%). Among lifetime smokers, the predictors of quitting were the female gender and a higher perception of tobacco harm. In the study environment, cigarette smoking is a problem especially among males older than 23 years but assisted tobacco cessation methods are scarce and should be provided for smokers. Raising awareness of tobacco harm will prevent cigarette smoking and enhance cessation.

Keywords: Nigeria, tobacco, cigarette smoking, quitting factors, smoking cessation.