A cross-sectional study comparing the motivation for smoking cessation in apparently healthy patients who smoke to those who smoke and have ischaemic heart disease, hypertension or diabetes

BACKGROUND: Smoking remains the largest preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the UK. OBJECTIVES: We aim to compare the motivation to stop smoking of patients with either ischaemic heart disease, hypertension or diabetes (diseased smokers) with apparently healthy smokers (controls), and comment on smoking cessation rates at 18 months following nurse-led active intervention in those who are motivated to stop smoking. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent out to 220 patients in each group. Those patients who had expressed a desire to stop smoking were invited to attend one to one or within a group. RESULTS: In total, 328 questionnaires were returned. Significantly more patients in the diseased group were ex-smokers, 29% versus 18% (P = 0.04), expressed a desire to stop smoking, 45% versus 30% (P = 0.02), and stated that they would like to receive individual support, 38% versus 23% (P = 0.05). Thirty-four patients attended for professional help to stop smoking. At 18 months follow-up, four patients remained not smoking. CONCLUSIONS: The findings in this study suggest that individuals who smoke and have either ischaemic heart disease, hypertension or diabetes may be more motivated to give up smoking and were more receptive to individual support. However smoking cessation rates at 18 months were disappointing.