Role of quit supporters and other factors associated with smoking abstinence in adolescent smokers: a prospective study on Quitline users in the Republic of Korea

The aim of this study elucidated the effectiveness of Quitline among adolescent smokers, as well as other factors associated with adolescent smoking cessation in the Republic of Korea. For 642 adolescent Quitline users aged 13-19 years, the information on demographic characteristics, smoking and cessation related factors, and cessation outcome was collected. Cox proportional hazard models were applied. 13.4% of boys and 6.6% of girls maintained smoking cessation for 1 year. Having a high level of self-efficacy had a preventive effect on relapse in both genders. Boys with parents or other family members as quit supporters, and boys with a higher number of past cessation attempts, were more likely to relapse. It was even more pronounced among boys who reported low self-efficacy. Relapse was increased with marginal significance among girls with parents or other family members as quit supporters. It is evident that Quitline is an effective way to encourage adolescent smoking cessation in Korea. Reinforcing self-efficacy and enhancing the cooperative behaviors of parents or other family member quit supporters could be additional contributors for maintaining cessation among adolescent smokers who want to quit.