Survey on Cigarette Use and Quitting Trends: Addiction and Quitting Behaviors in Turkey
Purpose and Scope of the Study
The Study on Cigarette Use and Quitting Tendencies was conducted to understand the behavioral, psychological, and social factors underlying continued cigarette use in Turkey and to identify individuals’ tendencies and levels of motivation toward quitting smoking. The study was conducted through face-to-face interviews with 1,018 smokers aged 18 and older living in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
Key Findings
The study demonstrates that cigarette use is a multidimensional behavior that cannot be explained solely by nicotine dependence. While a significant portion of the participants identified themselves as addicted, tea and coffee consumption, the periods following meals, work breaks, and social settings emerged as the primary triggers increasing the urge to smoke. While the perception of smoking as a relaxing, pleasurable, and socializing activity plays a role in sustaining its use, the desire to quit and motivation levels were generally found to be low. In contrast, participants express a high level of trust in scientific cessation methods, yet the rate of using these methods remains limited.
Conclusion
The research findings reveal that cigarette use is a multidimensional behavior shaped not only by physiological dependence but also by habits, social environment, psychological needs, motivation levels, and individual life experiences. The findings indicate that smokers are not a homogeneous group; they exhibit significant differences in terms of addiction level, triggers, desire to quit, and support needs. Therefore, it has been concluded that effective smoking cessation programs should be based on personalized interventions that take into account the individual’s needs, motivation level, and behavioral patterns, rather than standard approaches. The study provides an important scientific foundation for the development of smoking cessation services and the design of evidence-based intervention models in Turkey.
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