Despite tried and true methods to quit smoking, young adults do not take advantage of these proven smoking cessation therapys that can double their chances of quitting, University of Illinois at Chicago public health scientists report.

The research is published online and will appear in the recent issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

Young adult smokers are highly motivated to quit -- almost half have tried to quit in the past year -- but they are much less likely to use certain proven therapys to help them quit smoking when in comparison to adult smokers, said Susan Curry, director of the UIC Institute for Health Research and Policy and lead author of the study.

Using data from the 2005 National Health Interview Survey, the scientists compared young adult smokers (ages 18 to 24) to older smokers (ages 25 and older). They observed that young adults are more likely to smoke (24 percent) in comparison to other smokers (20 percent).

Approximately 70 percent in both age groups said they wanted to completely quit smoking, but only 4 percent to 5 percent of smokers in both age groups use any evidence-based behavioral therapy. As few as 1 percent reported using specific types of behavioral therapy such as group classes, quit lines or internet programs.

As per researchers, only 17 percent of young adults used pharmacotherapy -- approved drugs such as nicotine gum, nicotine patches or bupropion -- in their most recent quit attempt. Among adult smokers, 32 percent reported using pharmacotherapy.

Smokers in both age groups reported support from friends and family as the most common form of stop-smoking therapy.

"Receiving advice from health care providers, having higher educational attainment, and having health insurance that might cover the cost of therapy are linked to using proven therapys," Curry said. "However, young adults are less likely to have health insurance, less likely to go to the doctor, and when they do go to the doctor they are much less likely to be asked about their smoking and to be advised to quit".

Even though young adults were less likely to see a health care provider than other adults, 74 percent reported seeing a provider at least once in the prior year.

Other studies have shown that younger smokers tend to have a number of misconceptions about therapy, said Curry. For example, young smokers incorrectly think that nicotine replacement treatment is dangerous or that nicotine causes cancer.

Curry suggests it may be necessary to correct misconceptions about therapy and to take advantage of missed opportunities during health care visits to address smoking and promote therapy.

"We don't know from this study whether the issue is lack of interest in therapy, lack of awareness of therapy, or lack of therapys that appeal to young adult smokers," Curry said. "There's definitely room for more research to understand how we might spur demand for therapy among young adult smokers".


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