title: Smoking cessation at 5 years after stroke in the North East Melbourne stroke incidence study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is limited knowledge about smoking cessation after stroke. We examined smoking cessation and recall of smoking cessation advice among 5-year stroke survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Interviews were conducted between May 2002 and May 2004 with 5-year survivors from a population-based stroke incidence study undertaken from May 1 1997 to April 30 1999 in Melbourne, Australia. Data were gathered on smoking status at stroke onset, cessation advice recalled and periods of cessation up to 5 years after stroke. Cessation was determined by examining smoking status at stroke onset and at 5 years after stroke.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 441 5-year stroke survivors, 343 (78%) had smoking data at follow-up. Fifty-one people were current smokers at stroke onset and 19 (37%) had quit smoking by 5 years after stroke. Of the 40 ever smokers who responded to a question regarding cessation advice, 40% (n = 16) could not recall receiving any such advice since their stroke.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The majority of smokers continued to smoke at 5 years after stroke. Few smokers recalled smoking cessation advice. Given that receiving such advice can be the first step towards cessation, improvements in the delivery of advice to this high-risk group are needed.
authors.affiliation: Menzies Research Institute, Hobart, Tas., Australia. Seana.Paul@utas.edu.au
authors.forename: Seana L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Gall
authors.forename: Helen M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Dewey
authors.forename: Amanda G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Thrift
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy* / Q000639:trends*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D020521:Stroke / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014739:Victoria / Q000453:epidemiology