title: Smoke-Free Men: Competing and Connecting to Quit.
abstract: The purpose of this study was to explore gender-related factors that motivate and support men's smoking reduction and cessation to inform effective men-centered interventions. Approach or Design: Focus group design using a semi-structured interview guide.
  
  
  
  Three communities in British Columbia, Canada.
  
  
  
  A total of 56 men who currently smoked and were interested in reducing or quitting or had quit.
  
  
  
  N/A.
  
  
  
  Data collected in 6 focus group discussions were transcribed and analyzed in accord with principles of thematic qualitative methods.
  
  
  
  We report the results across 4 interconnected themes: (1) the fight to quit takes several rounds, (2) the motivation of supportive competition, (3) challenges and benefits of connecting with smoke-free peers, and (4) playing up the physical and financial gains.
  
  
  
  Masculine-based perspectives positioned quitting alongside fighting for self-control, competing, connecting, physical prowess, and having extra cash as motivating components of programs to engage men in efforts to be smoke-free. It may be worthwhile to consider the inclusion of gain-framed and benefit-focused messaging in programs that support men's tobacco cessation.
authors.affiliation: 1 Faculty of Health and Social Development, School of Nursing and Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.|2 Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Melbourne, Australia.
authors.forename: Joan L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Bottorff
authors.affiliation: 3 Faculty of Applied Science, School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: John L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Oliffe
authors.affiliation: 4 Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Gayl
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sarbit
authors.affiliation: 4 Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Sharp
authors.affiliation: 4 Institute for Healthy Living and Chronic Disease Prevention, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, British Columbia, Canada.
authors.forename: Mary T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Kelly
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001955:British Columbia; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D010379:Peer Group; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000523:psychology*; D000073869:Tobacco Smoking / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: men’s health; qualitative research; smoking cessation; tobacco, masculinity