Comparison between Smokers and Smokeless Tobacco Users in Their Past Attempts and Intentions to Quit: Analysis of Two Rounds of a National Survey

Abstract

This study compares current tobacco smokers and smokeless tobacco (SLT) users in terms of their past quitting attempts and intentions to quit in the future, and identifies approaches used in their recent quitting attempts. Data (n = 14,498) of current tobacco users from two rounds of the Global Adult Tobacco Survey Bangladesh were analysed. Poisson regressions with robust variance were used to examine associations between the study factor and the two outcome variables. About half of smokers and a quarter of SLT users tried to quit during the 12 months before the survey. About two-thirds of smokers and half of SLT users intended to quit in the future. Smokers were more likely (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR): 1.38, 95%CI: 1.24–1.53) than SLT users to have attempted to quit during the 12 months before the survey and to intend to quit in the future (aPR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.02–1.16). The corresponding aPRs were even higher for dual users (smoked tobacco and used SLT). Future intention to quit for both smokers (aPR: 1.45, 95%CI: 1.38–1.53) and SLT users (aPR: 1.87, 95%CI: 1.76–1.98) was significantly associated with their past quitting attempts. Most of those who had attempted to quit did not receive any treatment. Proactive and tailored interventions to promote quitting and expansion of tobacco cessation methods are recommended.