Best On national surveys, the probability of attempting to quit smoking and to succeed has been equally high among women and men since late 1970s or early 1980s. The majority of smokers who try to stop using tobacco reported doing so on their own, even though this is the least effective method. This pattern has changed somewhat in recent years with increased use of pharmacologic aids. Intensive clinical interventions involve individual, group, or telephone counseling for multiple sessions. The most successful treatments are multi-component cognitive behavioral programs that incorporate strategies to prepare and motivate smokers to stop smoking.
Women are somewhat more likely than men to use intensive treatment programs.
Similarly, women have a stronger interest than men in smoking cessation groups that offer mutual support through a buddy system and in treatment meetings over a long period. More research is needed to determine the effects of nicotine replacement therapy on pregnant women and their offspring. Studies have identified numerous gender-related factors that should be studied as predictors for smoking cessation as well as factors for continued smoking or relapse after quitting. These factors include hormonal influences, pregnancy, fear of weight gain, lack of social support, and depression. Prenatal smoking cessation interventions can be of economic benefit to healthcare insurers.