INTRODUCTION:

Tobacco harm reduction depends on cessation. Some sociodemographic and personal characteristics have been associated with successful cessation, but these features have not been assessed in this population. The objective was to evaluate the predictors of status of former smoker or being in a favorable stage of quitting in urban population of Argentina.

METHODS:

Secondary analysis of the Argentina Global Adult Tobacco Survey (EMTA-GATS) using multivariate logistic regression.

RESULTS:

A total of 6299 subjects were included (mean age: 43.3 years; 46.39% of males; 23.16% of smokers). Former smoker status was associated with age (OR 1.11; CI95%: 1.02-1.20 every 5 years), living in smoke-free homes (OR 2.92; CI95%: 1.78-4.78), supporting tobacco tax increases (OR 2.32; CI95%: 1.52-3.56), non-daily consumption (OR 2.06; CI95%: 1.25-3.39) and female gender (OR 1.53; CI95%: 1.06-2.19) regardless of education and income level. Among smokers, age (OR 1.10; CI95%: 1.01-1.26 every 5 years) and being aware of health warnings on packages (OR 4.64; CI95%: 2.28-9.41) were associated with wanting to quit regardless of gender and education level. Receiving medical advice was associated with the decision to quit (OR 6.25; CI95%: 2.91-13.42) regardless of education and income level.

DISCUSSION:

The implementation of smoke-free homes campaigns, health warning labels and medical advice are useful strategies to boost cessation.