Interest in technology-based and traditional smoking cessation programs among adult smokers in Ankara, Turkey

Michele L. Ybarra, A. Tülay Baci Bosi, Nazmi Bilir, Jodi S. Holtrop, Josephine Korchmaros, Salih Emri

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

8 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background: Little is known about the demand for smoking cessation services in settings with high smoking prevalence rates. Furthermore, acceptability of text messaging and Internet as delivery mechanisms for smoking cessation programs in non-developed countries is under-reported. Given the cost effectiveness of technology-based programs, these may be more feasible to roll out in settings with limited public health resources relative to in-person programs. Findings. 148 adult smokers took part in a community-based survey in Ankara, Turkey. Two in five (43%) respondents reported typically smoking their first cigarette within 30 minutes of waking. Many participants expressed a desire to quit smoking: 27% reported seriously thinking about quitting in the next 30 days; 53% reported at least one quit attempt in the past year. Two in five smokers wanting to quit reported they were somewhat or extremely like to try a smoking cessation program if it were accessible via text messaging (45%) or online (43%). Conclusions: Opportunities for low-cost, high-reach, technology-based smoking cessation programs are under-utilized. Findings support the development and testing of these types of interventions for adult smokers in Turkey.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number10
JournalTobacco Induced Diseases
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2011

Keywords

  • Turkey
  • middle income country
  • smoking cessation
  • technology-based interventions

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health(social science)
  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health

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