Smoking cessation in a prospective study of healthy adult males: Effects of age, time period, and amount smoked

Abstract

The present study examined effects on smoking cessation of three variables - chronological age, time period, and amount smoked - in 637 healthy male smokers aged 22-69 at baseline. Subjects were followed from 1962-1975 using life table procedures. Age was not significantly related to quitting rates (p = .150). The amount smoked effect approached significance (p = .096) with rates of quitting progressively lower at higher consumption levels. Powerful time-period effects were found (p = .008). Incidence rates of quitting increased from 1962-1970, after which a marked decline occurred.