Stages of Smoking Cessation among Malaysian Adults -Findings from National Health Morbidity Survey 2006

Increasing the rate of smoking cessation will reduce the burden of diseases related to smoking, includingcancer. Understanding the process of smoking cessation is a pre-requisite to planning and developing effectiveprograms to enhance the rate of smoking cessation.The aims of the study were to determine the demographicdistribution of smokers across the initial stages of smoking cessation (the pre-contemplation and contemplationstages) and to identify the predictors of smoking cessation among Malaysian adult smokers. Data were extractedfrom a population-based, cross-sectional survey carried out from April 2006 to July 2006. The distribution of2,716,743 current smokers across the pre-contemplation stage (no intention to quit smoking in the next six months)or contemplation stage (intended to quit smoking in the next six months) was described. Multivariable logisticregression analysis was used to examine the relationship between socio-demographic variables and the stages ofsmoking cessation. Of the 2,716,743 current smokers, approximately 30% and 70% were in the pre-contemplativeand contemplative stages of smoking cessation respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that male gender,low education level, older age group, married and those from higher income group and number of cigarettessmoked were associated with higher likelihood of pre-contemplation to cease smoking in the next six months.The majority of current smokers in Malaysia were in the contemplative stage of smoking cessation. Specificinterventions should be implemented to ensure the pre-contemplative smokers proceed to the contemplativestage and eventually to the preparation stage.