A Qualitative Inquiry on Smokers’ Perceptions of Smoking Cessation during Covid-19

Abstract

Background: This qualitative exploratory study explores smokers’ perspectives regarding smoking cessation processes amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Purposive sampling was employed to conduct semi-structured interviews with cigarette smokers visiting cardiac and pulmonary clinics at a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Thematic analysis was performed to identify themes from the participants’ responses. Results: Three themes emerged from the thematic analysis. These were smoking cessation facilitators, smoking cessation barriers, and COVID-19 impacts on smoking cessation. Awareness and education, threat of acquiring health problems, religious beliefs and family or support system behave as smoking cessation facilitators. While, role modeling, associating smoking to stress relief, and cigarette dependency were major barriers to smoking cessation or prevention. There were mixed perceptions regarding association of cigarette smoking and COVID-19. However, some of the participants shared feelings of fear for being vulnerable to COVID-19 and its complications. Conclusion: The findings of this study generated significant recommendations for providing effective and optimal smoking cessation interventions such as not missing the teachable moment for smoking cessation counselling, anti-smoking smoking efforts from religious perspectives, and strict implementation of anti-smoking regulations in the country.