Strategies and Practice of Smoking Cessation Among Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Healthcare Facility in South Punjab, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Tobacco smoking remains a major public health challenge and is associated with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, and malignancies. Smoking cessation reduces disease risk and improves health outcomes, yet sustained abstinence remains difficult in many settings. Objective: To assess smoking behavior, cessation intentions, quit attempts, and cessation practices among adult smokers attending a healthcare facility in South Punjab, Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional observational study was conducted among adult smokers using a structured questionnaire capturing demographic characteristics, smoking history, initiation context, smoking intensity, household exposure, quit intentions, quit attempts, prior abstinence duration, motivations for quitting, and cessation methods. Data were analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics, ANOVA for group associations, and Pearson correlation for selected cessation-related indicators. Results: Among 60 participants, 96.7% were male and 58.3% were aged ≥60 years. Most initiated smoking at 20 years (53.3%), commonly at the workplace (35.0%). Daily smoking of 15–20 cigarettes was reported by 40.0%, and 46.7% lived with a partner who smoked. Quit intention within one month was reported by 45.0%, and repeated quit attempts were common (10 attempts: 41.7%). Cold turkey was the most frequent cessation method (51.7%). Age was not significantly associated with the cessation outcome (p=0.676), while gender showed a significant association (p<0.001). Conclusion: Quit intention was common, but sustained abstinence was limited and unassisted quitting predominated, highlighting the need for strengthened cessation support services