Examination of the experiences of individuals who quit smoking using pharmacological and non-pharmacological methods

Aim: Tobacco use is among the leading causes of preventable morbidity and mortality worldwide and constitutes a major public health problem. Smoking cessation is considered a complex behavioral change process with biological, psychological, and social dimensions. The aim of this study is to comparatively examine the smoking cessation experiences of individuals who quit smoking using pharmacological treatment and those who quit without pharmacological support. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted using a qualitative research design. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews conducted with a semi-structured interview guide. A total of 32 participants were included in the study. Of these, 16 participants had quit smoking using pharmacological treatment, while 16 had quit without any pharmacological support. The collected data were analyzed using thematic analysis, and participants' experiences were interpreted within the framework of identified themes. Results: The findings indicated that the smoking cessation experience was shaped around several interrelated themes, including the initiation of smoking, factors influencing the decision to quit, difficulties experienced during the cessation process, strategies for coping with the urge to smoke, and changes experienced after quitting smoking. Participants generally reported initiating smoking during adolescence and early adulthood, with peer influence, curiosity, and the need for social conformity playing significant roles in this process. The decision to quit smoking was found to emerge from the combination of health concerns, family responsibilities, social discomfort, and increasing personal awareness. During the cessation process, intense cravings, persistent habitual behaviors, and social environmental factors were reported as challenges, whereas strategies such as distraction, developing alternative behaviors, and receiving social support were found to facilitate cessation. While pharmacological treatment and professional support created a facilitating structure for individuals who used medication, personal determination and individual coping strategies played a more prominent role among individuals who quit smoking without pharmacological support. 4 Conclusion: The findings demonstrate that the smoking cessation process cannot be explained solely by the physiological aspects of nicotine dependence; rather, it represents a multidimensional experience shaped by behavioral habits, psychological processes, and social relationships. Smoking cessation interventions should therefore not be limited to pharmacological treatment alone but should be planned within a holistic framework that also includes behavioral and psychosocial support approaches. In particular, strengthening smoking cessation counseling in primary care settings with patient-centered and multidimensional approaches may contribute to the sustainability of smoking cessation.