Women and successful tobacco cessation strategies

Tobacco rates throughout Canada continue to fall, but use is still alarmingly high in northwestern BC. The purpose of this study was to explore how some women have been successful in abstaining from tobacco products. I conducted qualitative, semi-structured interviews with women who have quit smoking successfully for more than six months. In my analysis, I looked for commonalities and differences in their decision and ability to quit and I compared participant responses to the tobacco cessation strategies in the literature. Strategies for successful tobacco cessation for women expressed by participants may be emulated by those who wish to quit smoking, and contribute to their success. The findings of this study may also be of interest to health care workers encouraging clients to make this healthy lifestyle changes. --Leaf ii.