title: Exploring Factors that Influence Smoking Initiation and Cessation among Current Smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Worldwide, cigarette smoking kills 5 million people annually, and leads to illness, disability and death. This study aimed to assess the factors influencing smoking initiation and cessation among current smokers in Chennai, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in September 2013 in Chennai, India. A convenient sample of 100 current smokers aged >15 years was enrolled. A modified version of Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screen Test (ASSIST) questionnaire was used to gather information on socio-demographics, smoking initiation and cessation, expenditure on smoking products and perceptions on incentives for smoking cessation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Surrounding influence (44%), stress (42%) and fun (40%) were major reasons for smoking initiation. Majority of participants (68%) attempted to quit smoking within past 6 months but failed. Health promotion programs (61%) and financial incentives (20%) were perceived to be helpful in smoking cessation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Smoking cessation strategies, especially at workplaces, should target the multi-factorial nature of smoking initiation and cessation. There is a need to review national guidelines to evaluate the accessibility and availability of smoking products in and around the workplace.
authors.affiliation: MBBS Student, Saveetha Young Medical Researchers Group (SYMRG), Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saveetha University , Saveetha Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Cheangaivendan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Chezhian
authors.affiliation: Public Health Researcher, Department of Public Health, Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Shruti
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Murthy
authors.affiliation: Environmental Health Researcher, Department of Public Health, Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Satish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Prasad
authors.affiliation: Public Health Researcher, Department of Public Health, Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Jyoti Bala
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Kasav
authors.affiliation: Public Health Researcher, Department of Public Health, Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Surapaneni Krishna
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Mohan
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor & Vice Principal, Department of Biochemistry, Saveetha Medical College & Hospital, Faculty of Medicine, Saveetha University , Saveetha Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India .
authors.forename: Sangeeta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sharma
authors.affiliation: Public Health Researcher, Department of Public Health, Foundation of Healthcare Technologies Society , New Delhi, India .
authors.forename: Awnish Kumar
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Singh
authors.affiliation: Assistant Dean and Associate Professor, Department of Public Health, CUNY School of Public Health , New York, USA .
authors.forename: Ashish
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Joshi
keywords: Advocacy; Cessation; Prevention; Public policy; Socio-economic status