The 13th World Conference on Tobacco OR Health

Objective: I n 2002, Taiwan implemented a Smoking Cessation Outpatient Services designed to encourage physicians to talk to their patients about their smoking status and provide counseling services to patients interested in quitting smoking. The purposes of this study are to examine the characteristics of individuals who received quit advice and the determinants of successfully smoking cessation.

Methods: The 2004 Taiwan Tobacco National Survey data was used to identify the characteristics of smokers who received smoking cessation advice. In addition, the 2004 Taiwan Smoking Cessation Outpatient Services Program client intake data and the 6-month follow-up telephone survey data were used to examine the determinants of successfully quitting at the six-month follow-up.

Results: In 2004, 9% smokers reported that they had received quit advice from a physician, nurse and other health care provider in the past year. Older smokers, males, daily cigarette users, and those who have attempted quitting in the past year, perceived poor health, and more highly educated individuals are more likely to receive quit advice from health care providers. In addition, 25% smokers who received smoking cessation outpatient service reported quit smoking at the six-month follow-up. Those who are older, have attempted quitting in the past year, lower smoking addiction, and more highly educated individuals are more likely to quit smoking.