CONFERENCE PROCEEDING
Young nicotine and tobacco users’ views on motivation to quit and cessation services
1
Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark
2
Center for Clinical Research and Prevention, Copenhagen University Hospital - Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg, Copenhagen, Denmark, and National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, Copenhagen, Denmark
Tob. Prev. Cessation 2026;12(Supplement 1):A157
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND-AIM:
Tobacco and nicotine products are highly addictive, and their use is associated with harmful effects on mental and physical health. One in three Danish youths uses tobacco or nicotine products. Many youths attempt to quit unassisted and report failing these attempts. This study aimed to explore what drives youth motivation to quit and their engagement with cessation services.
METHODS:
Focus group interviews with 24 youths aged 16-20 from six municipalities in Zealand (Denmark) were conducted among current or previous users of tobacco and nicotine products. Four interviews were conducted with youths who had previously participated in municipal cessation activities. Informants were recruited by smoking cessation counselors and through snowball sampling methods. Participation was intensified by gift card provision. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim following pseudonymization. Data were analyzed using thematic network analysis.
RESULTS:
Two global themes were identified in the study. The first “Contributing factors that motivate youths to quit use” comprised three organizing themes: 1) Reflections on finances and accessibility, 2) Reflections on social norms, and 3) Reflections on physical and mental health consequences. The second global theme “youth’s thoughts on contributing factors that motivate cessation service engagement” contained two organizing themes: 1) The importance of a supportive counselling atmosphere and 2) making cessation participation an appealing offer.
CONCLUSIONS:
Cessation offers should be tailored to meet the needs of youth. Youth reflections underscored economic consequences, health risks, and perceptions of identity as users or non-users as central factors motivating quit intentions. Youth valued the benefits of cessation services, such as free and easy access within school or work hours. Engagement relied on a supportive counseling atmosphere, including group formats in a safe environment, where trusting relationships between the counsellor and youth were central. Future efforts should apply knowledge of what motivates youth to quit, enroll and participate in cessation support for more youth-centered and effective cessation activities.
Tobacco and nicotine products are highly addictive, and their use is associated with harmful effects on mental and physical health. One in three Danish youths uses tobacco or nicotine products. Many youths attempt to quit unassisted and report failing these attempts. This study aimed to explore what drives youth motivation to quit and their engagement with cessation services.
METHODS:
Focus group interviews with 24 youths aged 16-20 from six municipalities in Zealand (Denmark) were conducted among current or previous users of tobacco and nicotine products. Four interviews were conducted with youths who had previously participated in municipal cessation activities. Informants were recruited by smoking cessation counselors and through snowball sampling methods. Participation was intensified by gift card provision. The interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim following pseudonymization. Data were analyzed using thematic network analysis.
RESULTS:
Two global themes were identified in the study. The first “Contributing factors that motivate youths to quit use” comprised three organizing themes: 1) Reflections on finances and accessibility, 2) Reflections on social norms, and 3) Reflections on physical and mental health consequences. The second global theme “youth’s thoughts on contributing factors that motivate cessation service engagement” contained two organizing themes: 1) The importance of a supportive counselling atmosphere and 2) making cessation participation an appealing offer.
CONCLUSIONS:
Cessation offers should be tailored to meet the needs of youth. Youth reflections underscored economic consequences, health risks, and perceptions of identity as users or non-users as central factors motivating quit intentions. Youth valued the benefits of cessation services, such as free and easy access within school or work hours. Engagement relied on a supportive counseling atmosphere, including group formats in a safe environment, where trusting relationships between the counsellor and youth were central. Future efforts should apply knowledge of what motivates youth to quit, enroll and participate in cessation support for more youth-centered and effective cessation activities.
| eISSN: | 2459-3087 |
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