AGE AND SMOKING CESSATION BEHAVIORS

Background. Predictors of smoking cessation behaviors during a 3-month period were examined among smokers in three age groups: 18 to 29, 30 to 49, and 50 years or older. Methods. Using random-digit dialing, tel ephone interviews were completed with 1,644 smokers in the Chicago met ropolitan area at baseline and at a 3-month follow-up. Multiple logist ic regression was used to identify factors that predicted trying to qu it smoking and quitting smoking within each age group and by stage of readiness to quit smoking. Results. There were no significant differen ces by age in trying to quit smoking or in quitting smoking among smok ers in the contemplation or preparation stages. However, there were im portant age differences in the factors that predicted those behaviors. In general, different factors predicted smoking cessation behaviors i n each age group at each of three stages of the smoking cessation proc ess (contemplation, preparation, and action). Also, within each age gr oup, different factors predicted the behavior at each stage. Conclusio ns. The findings suggest that smokers of all ages are equally appropri ate targets for smoking cessation interventions. Moreover, there are i mportant age-related differences among smokers over the course of thei r smoking careers that should be considered when planning and implemen ting smoking cessation interventions. (C) 1995 Academic Press, Inc.