How has COVID-19 lockdown impacted smoking? A thematic analysis of written accounts from UK smokers. Issue 1 (7th January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Grogan, Sarah; Walker, Lucy; McChesney, Gillian; Gee, Ivan; Gough, Brendan; Cordero, Maria I.
• Is Part Of: Psychology & health. Volume 37:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 17
• Page End: 33
• Publication Date: 2022-01-07
• Subjects: Smoking -- lockdown -- COVID-19 -- thematic analysis -- health threat -- stress; Clinical health psychology -- Periodicals; Attitude to Health -- Periodicals; Public Opinion -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; 150
• DOI: 10.1080/08870446.2020.1862110
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0887-0446

Abstract

Abstract: Objective . This study was designed to investigate UK smokers' accounts of impacts of COVID-19 on their smoking, to develop implications for supporting smoking cessation. Design . One hundred and thirty-two smokers aged 19-52 years (mean age 25 years), recruited through an advert distributed through social media and a dedicated Twitter page, completed an anonymous online questionnaire. Main Outcome Measures . Smokers produced written accounts of how COVID-19 had impacted their smoking. Responses were of unlimited length and completed online 22 nd May-22 nd June 2020 during UK COVID-19 lockdown. Results . Inductive thematic analysis generated three themes: i) increased smoking as a coping mechanism to deal with anxiety, boredom, stress, and anger in COVID-19 lockdown; ii) lockdown as enabling quitting through lifting social barriers and enabling a focus on health benefits; and iii) no change, avoiding Government/media COVID-19 information due to disbelief, lack of trust, and perceptions of bias. Conclusions . Results demonstrate a need for credible public health messaging on COVID-19 risk aimed at smokers. Implications for supporting smoking cessation are discussed, including maintaining quitting in those "social smokers" who quit during lockdown, and support on stress-management and emotion regulation in those who use smoking as a way to cope with stress, anger, and boredom.