Smoking cessation rate and predictors of successful quitting in Jordan: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Tobacco smoking in Jordan is the highest in the Middle East, with health consequences and economic burdens. Smoking cessation improves health and grows the economy. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of smoking cessation in Jordan and to identify the determinants of effective quitting. This cross-sectional study was conducted using an online survey directed towards the general population of Jordan. The questionnaire was formulated in Arabic and inquired about sociodemographic factors, health status, behaviors, smoking habits, previous quitting attempts, utilization of smoking cessation services, attitudes towards quitting, and barriers to quitting. Data were analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Science version 25. A total of 463 participants were included in this study. Twenty-one percent of them were ex-smokers (n = 97), 86% were male, 63.3% were from the middle governorates, and 29.2% were 24 years old or younger. The rate of sustained quitting for at least 3 months among participants was 13.6%. The factors associated with successful quitting included age > 50 years (P = .001), practicing regular physical activity (P = .003), using more than 1 tobacco product (P = .000), smoking waterpipes or e-cigarettes (P = .000 and .015, respectively), lower levels of nicotine dependence (P = .009), duration of smoking (P = .000), higher number of smoking cessation attempts (P = .000), having 1 or more chronic diseases (P = .049), and having DM (P = .003). More than half of the ex-smokers needed 2 to 5 attempts before successfully quitting smoking. There was a low rate of utilization of smoking cessation services and medications in both groups. On the other hand, there is a high rate of use of other smoking methods, particularly waterpipes and e-cigarettes, as an aid for quitting. Current smokers reported being in a stressful situation as a barrier to quitting significantly more often than did ex-smokers (P = .013). Both groups had moderately positive attitudes toward quitting. Ex-smokers had significantly better attitudes toward their ability to manage stress, weight gain, and increased appetite after quitting (P = .004, .004, and .007, respectively). This study provides valuable insights into the complex dynamics of smoking behavior, cessation attempts, and attitudes. These findings can inform the development of targeted smoking cessation programmes and policies.