Factors Influencing Nicotine Dependency among College Students Intending to Quit Smoking

Lee, Hea Shoon; Song, Mi Ryeong

Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing nicotine dependency among college students intending to quit smoking, and to provide data for the construction of programs that will be successful in helping the students quit smoking. METHOD: In this study a cross-sectional survey to analyze was used. The data were collected between April 22 and April 24, 2013 from 218 college students who had unsuccessfully tried to quit smoking in the past but were now intending to try and quit smoking again. Data were analyzed using frequency, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA and multiple regression with the SPSS 21.0.
RESULTS
Factors influencing nicotine dependency were self-efficacy for smoking abstinence (t=-6.60, p=<.001), length of time since beginning to smoke (t=5.39, p<.001), level of carbon monoxide intake (t=2.38, p=.018), and withdrawal symptoms as reasons why the students failed to quit smoking (t=2.22, p=.028). These 4 variables accounted for 35.0% of the variance with regard to nicotine dependency.
CONCLUSIONS
To conduct a successful program for students who intend to quit smoking, self-efficacy for smoking abstinence, length of time since beginning to smoke, level of carbon monoxide, and withdrawal symptoms as reasons for failing to quit smoking should be considered.