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Smoking Cessation Program

According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services (USDHHS, 1991), nicotine (the active ingredient in the tobacco plant) is one of the most toxic and addictive drugs known to man. The USDHHS further states that one in every six deaths in America is attributable to tobacco. This statistic clearly shows that the need to develop programs that help people stop smoking and to prevent people from starting to smoke cannot be overestimated.

However, Papalia and Olds (1992) have noted that in order for these programs to be maximally effective, they must contain two elements: (1) they must be relevant to the specific developmental (age) group targeted, e.g. adolescents, middle-aged people, older or elderly people, etc.; and (2) they must contain components that address themselves to the various stages and processes involved in smoking cessation.

The purpose of this paper is to examine various smoking cessation programs containing the stipulated stages, programs developed for people of different ages. The paper beings with a description of the processes and stages involved in smoking celation; this is followed by a review of evaluative studies of various programs developed to help people of all ages quit smoking.

Smoking Cessation Stages and Processes of Change

Mathre (1994) has noted that there are five stages associated with people quitting smoking. These stages can be described as follows:

(1) Precontemplation Stage: In this stage, smokers are unlikely to be responsive to direct intervention. There is little concern about the negative aspects of smoking and heavy-handed messages may increase their resistance to quitting. If pushed hard, they may seek alternative health care. Programs aimed at working with people at this stage (such programs are usually part of some overall health promotion campaign) work best if they offer little more than a calm, factual presentation of the risks.

(2) Cont...

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Smoking Cessation Program. (1969, December 31). In LotsofEssays.com. Retrieved 19:55, March 28, 2024, from https://www.lotsofessays.com/viewpaper/1692841.html