title: Timing and risk factors associated with relapse among smokers attempting to quit in Malaysia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Many smokers attempt to quit smoking, but very few succeed.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the timing and risk factors involved in smoking relapse.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a prospective cohort study among staff in two public universities in Malaysia. Behavioural therapy with  free nicotine replacement therapy was given as treatment. Participants were followed up for 6 months. Relapse was defined as returning to smoking after having quit for at least 24 h.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 185 smokers who volunteered to participate, 120 achieved at least 24-h abstinence, and 80% of  these relapsed within 2 months. Compared to participants who attended a single smoking cessation session, participants who attended three sessions had a lower likelihood of relapse within 6 months of quitting. In contrast, smokers with a much longer exposure to cigarette smoking in the workplace  (>3 h per week) had a greater chance of relapse compared to those with no exposure.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Frequent attendance at clinic sessions and less exposure to other people smoking in the workplace can potentially reduce the likelihood of relapse among smokers who have recently quit.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine, Population Health and Preventive Medicine, Mara University of Technology, Sungai Buloh, Selangor, Malaysia. sitimu.yasin@gmail.com
authors.forename: S M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Yasin
authors.forename: F M
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Moy
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Retneswari
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Isahak
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Koh
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001521:Behavior Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000628:therapy*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine