Identifying the barriers of smoking cessation and predictors of nicotine dependence among adult Malaysian smokers: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Proper understanding of the prevalence and determinants of nicotine dependence is crucial for developing and implementing effective tobacco control interventions. The aim of the study was to identify the intrinsic and extrinsic barriers to smoking cessation, and to assess the association between nicotine dependence with demographic variables in Malaysia.

METHODS: A cross-sectional survey based on the Challenges to Stopping Smoking Scale (CSS-21) and Fagerström test for nicotine dependence (FTND) was performed on smoking Malaysian citizens aged ≥18 years, from February to June 2021.

RESULTS: A total of 1026 parents responded to the survey. As for the smoking dependence based on FTND, 39.1% suffered low-moderate dependence, while about 33.6% suffered moderate dependence. Only 1.8% suffered high dependence. Considering the barriers of quitting smoking based on CSS-21, the mean score of the intrinsic barriers domain was 5.7 ± 2.9, and for the extrinsic domain was 7.4 ± 4.0. The most common barrier reported in the intrinsic domain was the easy availability of cigarettes (69.8%), followed by experiencing withdrawal symptoms (68.5%). On the other hand, the most common barrier reported in the extrinsic domain was the belief in the capability of stopping smoking in the future (72.8%), followed by the fear of having side effects after stopping smoking (63.2%). Gender, race, education level, occupation, marital status, place of residence, and monthly income were also significantly associated with the FTND nicotine dependence category (all p<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis reported a positive association between intrinsic score (r=0.38), extrinsic score (r=0.43) and FTND score (all p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: Barriers to stopping smoking should be taken into consideration in initiatives to decrease smoking-related mortality. Vulnerable populations that are susceptible to high nicotine dependence should be given particular attention.