Nicotine Dependency, Smoking Temptation, Decisional Balance and their Relationship with Readiness to Quit in Cigarette Smokers

According to trans-theoretical model (TTM), people are in different stages of smoking cessation behavior and their readiness for behavioral change is different. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of nicotine dependency, smoking temptation, decisional balance, and quit readiness among cigarette smokers. In a cross-sectional design, 337 cigarette smokers in Isfahan, Iran were recruited through convenience sampling method in 2012. Data were collected using a short form questionnaire of stages of change, as well as decisional balance, DiClemente et al and Velicer et al smoking temptation, Fagerstrum nicotine dependency and demographic questionnaires. Data analysis was performed by Kruskal Wallis, Mann Whitney U, Chi-Square and Spearman Correlation Coefficients in SPSS 15 Software. Although, in moving from precontemplation to preparation stage, nicotine dependency decreased, it was not significant. Also, in moving from precontemplation to preparation, temptation increased, but it was not significant. In moving from precontemplation to preparation, perceived benefits of smoking decreased significantly. Moreover, mean score of perceived barriers resulted from cigarette smoking was significantly lower in subjects who were in precontemplation stage rather than those who were in two other stages. It is necessary to implement interventions to move people toward preparation stage and apply supportive actions to move prepared individuals toward the practical stages of quitting smoking.