Compliance to nicotine gum recommendations in a multicomponent group smoking cessation program: an exploratory study

This is an exploratory study of compliance to nicotine chewing gum in a multi-component group smoking cessation program where usage was optional. Two-thirds (24 out of 36) of the participants across three group sessions complied with the recommendation to use nicotine chewing gum. All subjects received standard instructions. Demographic characteristics (age, sex, site of employment) and smoking variables (number of years smoked, pretreatment number of cigarettes smoked per day, and nicotine dependence) failed to predict compliance, but compliant participants reported significantly greater confidence at their ability to not smoke in various challenging situations as measured by the Smoking Self Efficacy Questionnaire. Those who did comply mostly failed to chew the gum in the way instructed. Reduced craving was cited as the most positive feature of gum use.