Smoking Temptation, Self-efficacy, and Satisfaction with Counseling among Users of Smoking Cessation Counseling Services Provided by a Public Health Center

Purpose: In order to assess the effects of smoking cessation counseling provided by a public health center in terms of smoking temptation, smoking cessation self-efficacy, and satisfaction with smoking cessation counseling, and also to provide baseline data for the improvement of smoking cessation counseling programs. Methods: A total of 52 current and former smokers who utilized smoking cessation counseling provided by the health center at least once participated in this study. Using a self-report survey method, data were collected in November 2005. Results: The mean age and duration of smoking of the participants were 49 and 28 years, respectively. Seventy-one percent had experienced smoking cessation trials prior to using the counseling services, and most of the participants had utilized smoking cessation counseling less than 5 times. Mean scores of temptation, self-efficacy, and satisfaction with counseling were , and (range,1-5), respectively. The participants were largely vulnerable to smoking temptations under conditions of anxiety or stress. The duration of counseling was associated negatively with smoking temptation, but was associated positively with self-efficacy. Conclusion: To help adopt and maintain smoking cessation, smoking cessation counseling should emphasize methods for coping with smoking temptations and to increase smoking cessation self-efficacy in various tempting situations.