THE IMPACT OF THE SUPPORTING SMOKING CESSATION PROGRAM IN A COUNTY FROM THE SOUTH MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Tobacco Treatment Program at a community clinic in the south of Minas Gerais, Brazil, for smoking cessation. A qualitative and quantitative, descriptive and exploratory research was conducted. Were identified sociodemographic characteristics, history of smoking and comorbidities of 35 smokers, interviewed in households. The interviews were subjected to content analysis. In relation to the quantitative results, 62.9 % of users started smoking before 15 years and 60 % had high dependency. Regarding smoking cessation, 82.9 % had quit smoking during treatment and after 18 months, 58,6% had no relapse. In qualitative data analysis eight categories were identified: smoking history; tobacco as a means of inclusion and social bonding; tobacco as the release factor from the stresses of daily living and compensatory mechanism, changing process of the smoking habit; awareness of smoking as a health problem; relapse as a failure factor and smoking cessation as a self-esteem release; successful factors for smoking cessation. This study demonstrates the importance of anti-smoking programs implementation by the municipal government, resulting in a significant impact on the cessation of smoking users of public health services.