Issue addressed: Quitting intentions and behaviours of smokers require monitoring. In particular, assessment of the distribution of smokers on the quitting continuum and of the proportion of hard-core smokers has implications for the design of future quit campaigns.
Methods: Cross-sectional survey of 1,509 persons (74.4% consent rate) randomly selected from the New South Wales Electronic White Pages. 1,431 respondents were eligible (aged 18 and over).
Results: Current smokers comprised 19.1% (n=274) and former smokers 28.0% (n=400). Sixty-one per cent of current smokers had quit for at least one day in the last year and 67.1% were in the intermediate or advanced preparation levels of the quitting continuum. Half of the smokers (46.7%) recalled receiving cessation advice during a past-year medical visit. Sixty-four point five per cent (64.5%) of smokers and 63.4% of former smokers reported no use of assistance in their quit attempts. Five point five per cent (5.5%) of smokers aged 26 and over met the hard-core criteria.
Conclusion: Most smokers want to quit but when making a quit attempt do not use proven, effective strategies. Relapse rates are high in the immediate post-cessation period.