A Qualitative Exploration of Smoker’s View of Smoking Cessation and Setting of a Quit Date

In assisting smokers to achieve successful smoking abstinence, we aimed to understand smokers’ perspectives on their quit smoking experience and the meaning of setting a quit date for them. This was a descriptive qualitative study using the post-positivist approach and the COM-B model as the study’s theoretical framework. The model emphasises capability (C), opportunity (O) and motivation (M) domains in a behavioural change (B). This study was conducted from January to July 2022 involving adult smokers who attended the Quit Smoking Clinics in Hospital Canselor Tunku Muhriz. Those with communication or cognitive difficulties (such as having dementia or psychiatric illness) were excluded. A trained researcher conducted in-depth interviews with five successful and six non-successful quitters through physical or online meetings. All participants had attempted quitting at least once. There were 15 facilitating factors identified that mostly conformed to the COM-B model except for spirituality and setting a quit date. However, setting a quit date has a double-edged sword effect and is only beneficial if it is flexible and self-determined. In conclusion, quit smoking intervention may use the COM-B model in guiding healthcare providers to focus on facilitating factors that enhance smokers’ motivation to quit. The involvement of spiritual leaders may facilitate their quit smoking journey.