• Research Review
• Journal Review

Authors: L Hackshaw, A McEwen, R West, L Bauld

Reference: Tob Control 2010; 19:160-164
http://tobaccocontrol.bmj.com/content/19/2/160.abstract

Reviewer: Joaquin Barnoya, MD, MPH, Contributing Editor, ProCor; Research Assistant, Professor of Surgery, Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, USA; Director, Research and Education, Unidad de Cirugia Cardiovascular de Guatemala, Guatemala

Reviewer comments: These results, when extrapolated to the general population in England, translate into 320,000 smokers making a quit attempt that coincided with the smoke-free legislation. Even though this does not precisely translate into former smokers, it does imply that smoke-free legislation is a powerful (and cost-effective) tool to motivate smokers to make a quit attempt. Furthermore, regardless of success or not, each quit attempt should be regarded as a step forward in the process of quitting smoking.

Purpose of study: On 1 July 2007, England introduced a nation wide smoke-free legislation. This study sought to assess quit attempts in response to the introduction of the legislation six months before and 18 months after.

Location of study: England

Methods: Data was collected as part of the Smoking Toolkit Study. Trained interviewers conducted face-to-face, computer assisted, and interviews with one member of each selected household. A sample of approximately 1700 adults aged 16 years or older and a subset of smokers and recent ex-smokers were selected using a random location sampling design. Respondents were asked about quit attempts and if any of the attempts was prompted by the legislation.

Results: More respondents significantly reported making a quit attempt in July and August 2007 (8.6%) compared to July and August 2008 (5.7%). Both years showed a peak in quit attempts in January and a second peak in April. These two peaks probably reflect quit attempts in response to New Year's resolutions and the "No smoking day" that takes place in March. Of those making a quit attempt in July and August 2007, 20% said they did so in response to the introduction of the smoke-free legislation in England. There was no difference in reported quit attempts in response to the smoke-free legislation according to social class or cigarette consumption.