Evaluation of the relation between reasons for initiating smoking and dependence level

Abstract

 

The aim was to evaluate the dependence level and relation condition by examining the reasons to start smoking. Scanning the people in Family Health Center, personal information, smoking conditions and reasons to start smoking were asked to 359 smokers over 18 years of age using a questionnaire prepared. Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND) was used to determine the dependence level in smoking individuals. Then statistical analysis was made using the acquired data. 269 people, 181 males (50.4%) and 178 females (49.6%), were included in our study. While the package/year average of smokers is 9.0±8.4 right now, FTND score average was found 6.9±1.7 points. According to FTND, the ratio of low level, medium level and high level of dependents were 6.7%, 40.4% and 52.9% in order. Reasons for starting to smoke were grouped under 11 different answers. The cases stated the most common reason for starting smoking as “imitating” (21.2%) and boredom/stress (13.6%) followed this. There was a significant relation between the ages and reasons for starting smoking among the participants in our study (F=4.067, p<0.001). A statistically significant difference was not found in smoking dependence levels among FTND scores and smoking package/year condition. No significant relation was found between nicotine dependence level and reason to start smoking. “Imitation” as the most common reason to start smoking. Thus applications increasing the information level of individuals may decrease the smoking starting frequency of individuals.

Keywords

• Dependence,nicotine abuse; smoking; tobacco use disorders