title: [Reasons for smoking cessation in Spain by gender and age].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To analyze gender- and age-related motivations among smokers wishing to quit.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a multicenter cross-sectional study in 1,634 smokers attended by general practitioners and specialized physicians in Spain who, after being explicitly asked about their intention to quit smoking, expressed a desire to do so. Sociodemographic data, history of smoking and motivations for cessation were collected. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean age was 45.6 years (SD+/-12.0 years). Fifty-six percent were men. A total of 35.2% had studied beyond high school. The main motivation expressed by 63.9% of men and 81.1% of smokers older than 60 years old was medical advice; 60.7% of women were motivated by disease prevention; 31.5% of smokers aged between 31 and 45 years old wanted to be a good role model for their children and 11.4% of those aged between 18 and 30 were motivated by esthetic reasons.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Men tend to be motivated by medical advice, while women are motivated by a desire to be a role model for their children, to prevent diseases or improve their appearance. The greater the age, the greater the percentage of patients motivated by medical advice. Middle-aged adults want to be good role models for their children while young patients are motivated by esthetic concerns.
authors.affiliation: Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, España. jmramon@csub.scs.es
authors.forename: Josep Maria
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ramon Torrell
authors.forename: Eugeni
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bruguera Cortada
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fernández Pinilla
authors.forename: Verónica
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Sanz de Burgoa
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ramírez Vázquez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000886:Anthropometry; D003376:Counseling; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D004954:Esthetics; D005260:Female; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012380:Role; D012737:Sex Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult