The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Although tobacco related diseases and benefits of smoking cessation are constant research fields, there is poor information about smoker's perception of his own health after stopping smoking.

Objective: to verify the smoker's perception of his own health after a year of smoking cessation.

Methods: We analyzed 465 patients, 264 women (57%) and 201 men (43%), with 49,39 (10,82) years old, 1,57 (1,16) co-morbidity and cigarette consumption of 23,12 (10,74) per day. All these patients received smoking cessation treatment, (Nicotine Patch and/or Nicotine Gum and/or Bupropion and regular clinical evaluation). Among the patients, 160 (34%) were successful and 305 (66%) were unsuccessful in achieving a year of smoking cessation. All of them were asked to evaluate their own clinical situation, if it was better, not altered or worst than when they started treatment.

Results: Patients that achieved a year of smoking cessation reported much better clinical situation than those who did not (graphic below).Conclusion: This important information can be used to motivate patients during smoking cessation treatment.