Addressing the 'costs of quitting' smoking: A health promotion issue for adolescent girls in Canada

Abstract

While intense efforts have been implemented to address the problem of cigarette smoking, the prevalence of tobacco use among adolescents, in particular young women, remains high. Older adolescent girls are joining their younger counterparts in taking up the smoking habit. The literature has examined the reasons for young people starting to smoke; however, little is known about the smoking cessation process in adolescents. This paper reports findings from an in-depth qualitative study of 25 girls ages 18 and 19 which uncovered the struggles young women experience as they attempt to quit smoking. These struggles and losses are referred to as the 'costs' of quitting smoking. The 'costs' reflect not only their 'real' experiences when attempting to quit smoking, but also reflect 'anticipated' struggles and losses. The study addressed the 'costs' in relation to the social, emotional and physiological domains of the adolescent girl's life. Findings from this research project provide theoretical direction for the development of comprehensive health promotion interventions. If health care professionals are to assist in reducing cigarette smoking among young women, the 'costs' which girls see to quitting smoking must be considered.