Urban, Low-income, African American Light Smokers: Perceptions of Cessation Counseling

Nine focus groups (N = 57), which included a demographic survey, were conducted to evaluate urban, low-income, African American light smokers’ experiences of cessation counseling. Chi-squared and independent t-tests were run to analyze survey data. Participants with a self-reported co-morbidity were more likely than participants without a co-morbidity to have been asked about quitting, and advised to quit. Fewer than half of all participants reported recommendations to use cessation pharmacotherapy, try a quit smoking program, or have a follow-up. Qualitative analysis revealed three focus group themes: (1) health provider as information source; (2) unsatisfactory counseling; and (3) mistrust of physician-prescribed pharmacotherapy. Participants expressed frustration regarding receiving inadequate counseling for smoking cessation since they viewed health providers as the most trusted source for health information. Findings demonstrate the need for further study of cessation counseling among urban, low-income, African American light smokers, particularly those with co-morbidities.