High Perceived Susceptibility to and Severity of COVID-19 in Smokers Are Associated with Quitting-Related Behaviors

Yajie Li, Tzu Tsun Luk, Yongda Wu, Derek Yee Tak Cheung, William Ho Cheung Li, Henry Sau Chai Tong, Vienna Wai Yin Lai, Sai Yin Ho, Tai Hing Lam and Man Ping Wang
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Yajie Li: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Tzu Tsun Luk: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Yongda Wu: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Derek Yee Tak Cheung: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
William Ho Cheung Li: Nethersole School of Nursing, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Henry Sau Chai Tong: Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, Hong Kong, China
Vienna Wai Yin Lai: Hong Kong Council on Smoking and Health, Hong Kong, China
Sai Yin Ho: School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Tai Hing Lam: School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
Man Ping Wang: School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 20, 1-9

Abstract: A growing body of evidence shows smoking is a risk factor for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). We examined the associations of quitting-related behaviors with perceived susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 in smokers. We conducted a telephone survey of 659 community-based adult smokers (81.7% male) in Hong Kong, where there was no lockdown. Exposure variables were perceptions that smoking can increase the risk of contracting COVID-19 (perceived susceptibility) and its severity if infected (perceived severity). Outcome variables were quit attempts, smoking reduction since the outbreak of the pandemic, and intention to quit within 30 days. Covariates included sex, age, education, heaviness of smoking, psychological distress, and perceived danger of COVID-19. High perceived susceptibility and severity were reported by 23.9% and 41.7% of participants, respectively. High perceived susceptibility was associated with quit attempts (prevalence ratio (PR) 2.22, 95% CI 1.41–3.49), smoking reduction (PR 1.75, 95% CI 1.21–2.51), and intention to quit (PR 2.31, 95% CI 1.40–3.84). Perceived severity of COVID-19 was associated with quit attempts (PR 1.64, 95% CI 1.01–2.67) but not with smoking reduction or intention to quit. To conclude, the perceived susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 in smokers were associated with quitting-related behaviors in current smokers, which may have important implications for smoking cessation amid the pandemic.

Keywords: risk perception; quit attempt; smoking cessation; tobacco; coronavirus disease; Chinese (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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