The role of fear of COVID-19 in motivation to quit smoking and reductions in cigarette smoking: a preliminary investigation of at-risk cigarette smokers. Issue 4 (4th July 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gold, Alexandra K.; Hoyt, Danielle L.; Milligan, Megan; Hiserodt, Michele L.; Samora, Jake; Leyro, Teresa M.; Zvolensky, Michael J.; Otto, Michael W.
• Is Part Of: Cognitive behaviour therapy. Volume 50:Issue 4(2021)
• Page Start: 295
• Page End: 304
• Publication Date: 2021-07-04
• Subjects: Smoking -- COVID-19 -- coronavirus -- SARS-CoV-2 -- fear of COVID-19; Cognitive therapy -- Periodicals; Behavior therapy -- Periodicals; 616.89142
• DOI: 10.1080/16506073.2021.1877340
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1650-6073

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Preliminary data suggest that cigarette smokers could have an increased mortality risk from the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), and that certain factors (e.g., increased age, medical comorbidities) can also increase risk of poor coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outcomes. Between April 30 th, 2020 and May 28 th, 2020, we evaluated self-reported changes in recent smoking patterns and motivation to quit smoking among current daily cigarette smokers ( N = 103) on Amazon Mechanical Turk. We also assessed the relationship of these outcomes to age, medical comorbidity status, and fear of COVID-19. Most participants (68.9%) reported smoking less frequently than usual in the last 28 days. Among daily smokers, increased fear of COVID-19 predicted increased motivation to quit smoking and actual smoking reductions ( ps < .05). Endorsement of one or more medical comorbidities, but not increased age, predicted increased motivation to quit smoking ( p < .05). These data suggest the potentially greater relevance of psychological factors (e.g., fear of COVID-19) over external risk factors (e.g., medical comorbidity, increased age) on motivation to quit smoking and actual reductions in smoking patterns, and may reflect that the pandemic is a suitable time for offering smoking cessation intervention.