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A qualitative study exploring cues and other motivators among a racially diverse sample of light and intermittent smokers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  15 November 2019

Laura J. Fish*
Affiliation:
Cancer Control and Populations Sciences, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, Duke University, Durham, NC, USA
Jason A. Oliver
Affiliation:
Cancer Control and Populations Sciences, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
Devon Noonan
Affiliation:
Cancer Control and Populations Sciences, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, NC, USA
James M. Davis
Affiliation:
Cancer Control and Populations Sciences, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA Department of General Internal Medicine, Duke School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
Kathryn I. Pollak
Affiliation:
Cancer Control and Populations Sciences, Duke Cancer Institute, Durham, NC, USA Department of Population Health Sciences, Duke School of Medicine, Durham, NC, USA
*
Author for correspondence: Laura J. Fish, E-mail: laura.fish@duke.edu

Abstract

Introduction

Light and intermittent smokers (LITS) represent almost 50% of all current smokers. Research is needed to understand smoking motives among adult light smokers.

Aims

To explore smoking cues and motivators among a racially diverse sample of adult LITS (≤10 CPD). In addition, we explored differences between native (always smoked ≤10), and converted (former heavier) LITS.

Methods

We used purposive sampling to recruit participants who were native and converted LITS and to include equal numbers of African Americans, Whites and Latinos. We coded and analyzed transcripts using a stage approach to identify themes.

Results

Four main themes emerged that may be unique to light smokers and suggests potential strategies for intervention: (1) smoking in response to cues and control, (2) identifying as a smoker, (3) concern about health consequences, and (4) other priorities influencing smoking. There were some differences among smoking cues and motivators by race and ethnicity, and differences between native and converted LITS.

Conclusions

Overall, LITS reported drivers of smoking that were unrelated to symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. Even when experiencing salient cues, our LITS cohort expressed the ability to assert control over smoking by abstaining when situational contexts made smoking inconvenient.

Type
Original Articles
Copyright
© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Cambridge University Press

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