The effect of motivational interviews on tobacco use status of tobacco users in the 45-59 age group

Introduction: Tobacco use is considered a major public health threat by the World Health Organization and is the leading cause of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide. Motivational interviewing is a type of counseling that can be used to help people quit smoking. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the tobacco use characteristics of individuals aged 45-59 who applied to the Mudurnu Family Health Center in Bolu province, to examine their desire to quit smoking, and to assess the effect of motivational interviewing support on smoking cessation success. Method: The study was designed as a quasi-experimental study with repeated measures in a single group. The sample consisted of 101 participants aged 45-59 who applied to the Mudurnu No. 1 Family Health Center between July 1, 2025 and October 15, 2025, smoked at least one cigarette per day, and volunteered to participate in the study. Participants received motivational interviewing support consisting of three different sessions: initial interview, first week interview, and first month interview. Participants were divided into two groups based on their readiness to quit smoking: those with a desire or intention to quit and those without. The study used a questionnaire consisting of a form containing sociodemographic data, questions evaluating smoking habits, the FNBT scale, a smoking cessation success prediction scale, and a health perception scale as data sources. Results: 85.1% of participants were male and 14.9% were female. The average age of starting smoking was 17.50. Motivational interviews contributed to a decrease in the average FNBT score and an increase in the average scores of the Smoking Cessation Success Prediction Scale and the Health Perception Scale among participants who had a desire/intention to quit smoking. Conclusion: As motivational interviews increased, the average daily cigarette use decreased significantly. Motivational interviews were more effective in participants who had a desire/intention to quit smoking.