Analysis of the Answers Given by Smokers Applying to the Cardiology Outpatient Clinic to the Question “Why Don’t You Quit Smoking?”: Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study Kardiyoloji Polikliniğine Başvuran Sigara İçen Bireylerin “Neden Sigarayı Bırakmıyorsunuz?” Sorusuna Verdikleri Cevapların Analizi: Tanımlayıcı Kesitsel Çalışma

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YILMAZ İ., Orhan E., Uzun M., Babaoğlu M., Erdem A., Oğuz M., ...Daha Fazla

Turkiye Klinikleri Cardiovascular Sciences, cilt.37, sa.1, ss.1-10, 2026 (Scopus)

Özet

Objective: Smoking is a leading health problem worldwide. There are many studies about starting to smoke. Studies on why individuals who currently smoke do not quit smoking are insufficient. In this study, it was investigated why currently smoking individuals do not quit smoking. Material and Methods: The study included smoking individuals who applied to polyclinic for any reason. Individuals were asked to fill out a questionnaire prepared by the researchers, the main question of which was “Why do you not quit smoking?”. The questionnaire form was prepared according to the previous literature, expert opinions and our experiences. The answers were statistically analyzed according to complaint, age, duration of smoking, cigarette pack-years, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and gender. Results: 41 (37.3%) were female, the average age was 50±14 years (21-85 years), body mass index was 28±5 kg/m2 (18-41 kg/m2), the average duration of smoking was 28±15 years, and the daily number of cigarettes was 18±10. The most common answer was “I want to quit, I can’t” (52%), followed by “Because of stress/anxiety” (50%), “I like smoking” (46%) and “It is a part of my daily routine” (43%). Differences were slight in terms of complaint, age, duration of smoking, cigarette pack-years, coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia and gender characteristics. Conclusion: A significant portion of individuals want to quit smoking, however, false beliefs such as “Due to stress/anxiety” and abnormal behavioral characteristics such as “I like smoking” are also effective. Initiatives are needed in these areas.