Success Rate of Smoking Quitting in those who Attends Smoking Cessation Clinic: A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Different cessation rates have been reported from various smoking cessation clinics.There is limited and contradicting available data about smoking cessation rate in Saudi Arabia.Objectives: To objectively and accurately measure the cessation rate, and subsequently the effectiveness, of smoking cessation clinics. Subjects and Methods:Cross-sectional observational study was carried out at the smoking cessation clinic, Ministry of Health, Makkah city.It included a sample of smokers enrolled in the national Saudi tobacco control program and followed regularly with an anti-smoking clinic at least for 3 months despite the form of treatment (either cognitive behavioral therapy or pharmaceutical).A self-administered Arabic validated questionnaire was used in this study.It includes two main sections: the demographic data of the participants, and the factors and the determinants that faced the participants in the smoking cessation process.Results: A total of 340 smokers were included in this study.Most of them (77.4%) were males.Their age ranged between 18 and 66 years with an arithmetic mean of 37.9 and standard deviation of 12.1 years.Almost one-quarter of the participants (27.4%) had succeeded to quit smoking.Determination and purposefulness was the main reason for successful smoking cessation (53.8%), followed by following anti-smoking program (21.5%) and using anti-smoking therapy (10.8%).Starting smoking after age of 20 years (p = 0.001), smoking 10 cigarettes or less per day (p<0.001)and frequent trying to quit smoking (p<0.001) were significant determinants for successful smoking cessation. Conclusion:The smoking cessation success rate among smokers attending the smoking cessation clinic, Ministry of Health in Makkah is quite acceptable; however can be improved.