Young people quitting smoking: Could your cat be the motivation?

he summer, the RAD bloggers are taking some time off for a well-deserved holiday. To keep you up to date with interesting topics relating to smoking, alcohol, drugs and diet, we will be sharing some of our past blog posts and sci-flies with you again.

*Disclaimer: Please note that parts of this sci-fly have been automatically translated.*

What do the Grammy Awards and helping young people quit smoking have in common? The link may seem far-fetched, but it is very much there. The Truth is a large-scale media campaign in the US that aims to create a new smoke-free generation. The Smoke-Free Netherlands Alliance, the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, and many others share the same goal for young people in the Netherlands. The Truth is known for its original approach to changing the image of smoking. This time, they have launched a very special campaign. In a video broadcast after the Grammy Awards, the message was delivered: “If you smoke, your cat is more likely to get cancer, so stop smoking!”. A clear message, which may contribute to a worse image of smoking among young people, but will the video also help addicted young people to quit smoking?

Scientific studies unfortunately show that giving up smoking is not easy. Figures indicate that around 85% of smokers are smoking again one year after attempting to quit¹. This high percentage of relapses suggests that giving up smoking is a difficult process. For adults, there are various methods to increase the chances of a successful attempt to quit, such as support from healthcare professionals, medication and nicotine patches. For young people, the reality is unfortunately different. Previous research has shown, for example, that nicotine patches do not work for young people². There is caution regarding the use of medication in a brain that is still developing. In the Netherlands, there is as yet no scientifically proven method available to support young people in quitting smoking. However, significant work is being done in this area, including at the Trimbos Institute and Radboud University. The question now is, therefore, what do we need to take into account when we want to help young people quit smoking?

Scientific research has taught us that, when working with young people, we must take their stage of development into account and focus on a combination of multiple factors that influence smoking³. For example, we know that social factors, such as friends who smoke, play a significant role in smoking among young people. Boosting self-confidence and the ability to resist peer pressure is important if we want to help young people quit smoking. It is also important to take into account withdrawal symptoms shortly after quitting, such as mood swings, concentration problems and the craving for a cigarette. We also know that smokers and young people are characterised by a weaker ability to control impulses, which ultimately leads young people to ‘light up a cigarette anyway’. Research is currently being conducted at Radboud University into the use of a video game to help young people better control these impulses. Incorporating video games into a wider programme to help young people quit smoking could increase their motivation to accept help. That would already be a step forward, as we know that young people in particular are reluctant to seek help when trying to quit smoking.

Kortom, we weten al veel over welke factoren betrokken zijn bij roken onder jongeren. Met deze kennis gaan we in de komende jaren stoppen met roken programma’s voor jongeren ontwikkelen en onderzoeken. Tot die tijd zijn we blij met filmpjes waarin katten ingezet worden om het imago van roken te veranderen en de motivatie te stoppen met roken te verhogen. Voor iedereen die zelf rookt, of rokers kent in de omgeving die willen stoppen: Bedenk dat stoppen met roken een leerproces is. Ook wanneer het niet meteen lukt heb je toch wat bereikt als je leert van wat er mis ging. Zet door, en denk aan je kat!

References

1. International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation P. ITC Project: Netherlands National Report. The Hague, The Netherlands: STIVORO;2011.
2. Scherphof, C.S., Van den Eijnden, R.J.J.M., Engels, R.C.M.E., & Vollebergh, W.A.M. (2014). Long-term efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy for smoking cessation in adolescents: a randomized controlled trial. Drug and Alcohol Dependence, 140, 217-220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2014.04.007
3. Fanshawe, T.R., Halliwell, W., Lindson, N., Aveyard, P., Livingstone-Banks, J., Hartmann-Boyce, J. (2013). Tobacco cessation interventions for young people. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews, 8, CD003289. Stanton A, Grimshaw G. Tobacco cessation interventions for young people. The Cochrane database of systematic reviews. 2013;8:CD003289. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD003289.pub6

This blog was written on the 1st of April by dr. Maartje Luijten (Radboud University) for RAD-blog, the blog about smoking, alcohol, drugs and diet.