Modeling Health Event Impact on Smoking Cessation

BACKGROUND: This study examined how cognitive and affective constructs related to an acute health event predict smoking relapse following an acute cardiac health event. METHODS: Participants were recruited from emergency departments and completed cognitive and emotional measures at enrollment and ecological momentary assessments (EMA) for 84 days postvisit. RESULTS: Of 394 participants, only 35 (8.9%) remained abstinent 84 days postvisit. Time to relapse was positively associated with age, actual illness severity, self-efficacy, and quit intentions. CONCLUSIONS: Older, seriously ill patients with strong confidence and intentions to quit smoking remain abstinent longer after discharge, but most still relapse within three months.