Individual, social-normative, and policy predictors of smoking cessation: a multilevel longitudinal analysis.
OBJECTIVE
We assessed the prospective impact of individual, social-normative, and policy predictors of quit attempts and smoking cessation among Massachusetts adults.


METHODS
We interviewed a representative sample of current and recent smokers in Massachusetts by telephone in 2001 through 2002 and then again twice at 2-year intervals. The unit of analysis was the 2-year transition from wave 1 to wave 2 and from wave 2 to wave 3. Predictors of quit attempts and abstinence of longer than 3 months were analyzed using multilevel analysis. Predictors included individual, social-normative, and policy factors.


RESULTS
Multivariate analyses of 2-year transitions showed that perceptions of strong antismoking town norms were predictive of abstinence (odds ratio = 2.06; P < .01). Household smoking bans were the only policy associated with abstinence, but smoking bans at one's worksite were significant predictors of quit attempts.


CONCLUSIONS
Although previous research showed a strong relation between local policy and norms, we found no observable, prospective impact of local policy on smoking cessation over 2 years. Our findings provide clear support for the importance of strong antismoking social norms as a facilitator of smoking cessation.
Biener
Lois
L
Center for Survey Research, University of Massachusetts, Boston, MA 02125, USA. lois.biener@umb.edu
Hamilton
William L
WL
Siegel
Michael
M
Sullivan
Eileen M
EM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001294:Attitude to Health; D003256:Community Participation; D005191:Family Characteristics; D005260:Female; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D033182:Intention; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D055361:Multilevel Analysis; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012931:Social Environment; D012945:Social Values; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017132:Workplace / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology
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