How are women performing in a modern smoking cessation program?

Introduction: Female smokers are overrepresented in the smoking cessation programs but recent studies show that they profit not as much as male participants from the different methods used for smoking cessation. Aim: A newly developed German smoking cessation program „Das Rauchfrei-Programm“ shall achieve with newest scientific methods and therapeutical techniques higher quit rates in women. Methods: From May 2007 till April 2008 2,560 participants were questioned at the beginning of the program. 51% of participants were female. The program was delivered by skilled trainers in different out-patient settings (institutes for health education, factories, medical practice) all over Germany. Three measurement times were realized (pre-test, post-test and a six months follow-up). Results: The average age in woman is 46 years, they have a higher educational level, 78% are gainfully employed, 58% are married, the average body-mass-index is 24. They smoke 22 cigarettes in average, and 54% have high scores in a test for nicotine dependency. Preliminary data show that 92% of the women perform the quit day, at the end of the course, 52% of them are still non-smokers. One third of them show no weight gain after smoking cessation, another third gains up to six pounds. Conclusion: Smoking cessation programs should try to target female smokers aged between 20 and 40 years. Program contents should fit to women’s needs and maybe outline special features. Contents of the „Rauchfrei-Programm“ that meet those criteria for female participants are discussed.