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Vol 37, (1/2) 81–83

General practice patients - Their readiness to quit smoking

Nicholas Zwar MBBS, MPH, PhD, FRACGP, is Professor of General Practice, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales, and Director, General Practice Unit, Sydney South West Area Health Service, New South Wales.

Robyn L Richmond MA, MHEd, PhD, is Professor of Public Health, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales.

Mark Harris MBBS, MD, FRACGP, is Professor of General Practice and Executive Director, Research Centre for Primary Health Care and Equity, School of Public Health and Community Medicine, University of New South Wales.

Background This article examines the prevalence of smoking among general practice patients and assesses their stage of readiness to quit.

Method Descriptive study involving eight general practice registrars working in teaching practices in metropolitan Sydney (New South Wales) who surveyed 1069 consecutive patients over 16 years of age to determine their smoking status; and for smokers, their stage of readiness to stop smoking.

Results Of these patients 375 (35%) were current smokers, with smoking more common among men (40%) than women (33%). Proportions of smokers in each stage of change were: 137 in precontemplation (36.5%), 158 in contemplation (42%) and 79 in preparation (21%). The majority of patients in preparation (67%) and contemplation (53%) were assessed as willing to further discuss their smoking, whereas only 16% of those in the contemplation stage were willing.

Discussion Smoking rates among general practice patients were higher than in community samples. Most of the smokers were either contemplating or preparing to quit, and the majority of smokers in these groups were willing to receive advice about smoking cessation.

Last Modified: 23 January 2008
Authorised By: Australian Family Physician