Abstract
Background: Smoking is still common among teenagers and young adults, and about every third young smoker states that he/she wants to quit smoking. There are no obvious evidence-based methods for tobacco cessation for young adults, and therefore, the same methods are used for adolescents and adults. The aim was to study adolescents’ and young adult’s experiences and views about what support they would like for smoking cessation. Methods: A qualitative study using a descriptive and exploratory design was conducted. Young smokers 16 - 29 years old (n=25) were interviewed in five focus groups in southern Sweden. Data were analyzed by qualitative content analysis. Results: The results illuminate young people’s suggestions to develop a model for tobacco cessation. Four themes emerged; <i>Finding your own motivation – a prerequisite for taking the first step towards giving up smoking. Existing support rejected</i> - existing apps, support by SMS, and self-help brochures did not appeal to the adolescents. <i>Agreement between friends</i> – To sign an agreement between two friends, which included a fee for relapses. <i>Supportive environment</i> - To organize the model with duo groups and give adapted support, and create the opportunity to win simple prizes to celebrate achieved interim goals. Conclusions: The participants suggested that the model for tobacco cessation should contain an agreement between friends, contain professional support, as well as have elements of celebration and competition. The challenge will be to implement this model into environments where they live.
Highlights
The first goal for tobacco prevention work is that adolescents remain non-smokers
At a youth clinic, visiting adolescents and young adults who were smokers were invited by midwives
The strength of this study is that young smokers themselves have been able to talk about what kind of support they would like if they were to quit smoking
Summary
The first goal for tobacco prevention work is that adolescents remain non-smokers. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the most important actions are price increases, non-smoking environments, limited access, including exposure prohibition, and limiting tobacco advertising [1, 2]. Adolescents are probably thinking that they only intend to smoke or use snus for a short time period and overestimate their personal ability thinking they can quit before they become addicted, or become adults. They see no risk of becoming an addict, but have the attitude. Results: The results illuminate young people’s suggestions to develop a model for tobacco cessation. Conclusions: The participants suggested that the model for tobacco cessation should contain an agreement between friends, contain professional support, as well as have elements of celebration and competition. The challenge will be to implement this model into environments where they live
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