Evaluation of smoking cessation behaviors and interventions among Latino smokers at low-income clinics in a US–Mexico border county

A descriptive study of 94 Latino smokers receiving nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in US–Mexico border clinics in El Paso County, Texas was conducted. A baseline questionnaire and two follow-up telephone surveys (8–12 weeks and 6 months) were administered to evaluate smoking habits, behaviors, and cessation interventions. Participants reported an average daily cigarette consumption of 15 cigarettes and smoked within 30 min of waking (44%). Primary motivations for quitting were personal health (95%), family's health (74%), and doctor's advice (71%). Female smokers were more likely to smoke due to being anxious (p = 0.012), not being able to sleep (p = 0.02), or to feel thin (p = 0.002). Male smokers were more likely to smoke when drinking alcohol (p = 0.005). Nearly 40% of smokers reported they had never tried to quit before. Medication use at baseline was 82% patch, 53% lozenge, 29% gum, and 24% bupropion (combination therapy permitted). At 8–12 weeks, nearly two-thirds of patients were quit and 44% remained quit at six months. Smoking habits, behaviors, and successful cessation interventions among Latinos in a US–Mexico border community were identified.