Levels of nicotine dependency and its association with challenges to quit smoking among adult smokers in Malaysia 2021

Abstract

Background: The nicotine dependency is related to many factors in terms of sociodemographic and smoking practices. Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the levels of nicotine dependency among adult smokers in Malaysia and to identify the association of nicotine dependency with sociodemographic factors and with challenges to quit smoking, respectively, among adult smokers in Malaysia. Methodology: A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted through an electronic survey including all adult smokers in Malaysia. Standard questionnaires such as 21-item Challenges to Stopping Smoking questionnaires to assess the challenges to quit smoking and the Fagerstrom test were used to assess the nicotine dependency. The validated electronic online questionnaires were distributed, which comprised sociodemographic characteristics, assessment on smoking status, challenges to quit smoking, and nicotine-dependence test. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify the association of nicotine dependency with the challenges to quit smoking, respectively, among adult smokers in Malaysia. Results: Regarding the levels of nicotine dependence among current smokers based on Fagerstrom Nicotine-Dependence Score (n = 830), a total of 345 (41.6%) respondents had low-to-moderate nicotine dependence, followed by 312 (37.6%) who had moderate nicotine dependence; 158 (19%) respondents had low nicotine dependence, and 15 respondents (1.8%) were found to have high nicotine dependence. Conclusion: Smoking cessation services should be designed and implemented with the degree of nicotine dependence and pattern usage in mind. There should be more public health education about the dangers of smoking as well as more focus on motivation among smokers and their families.