RESUMO
INTRODUCTION: Smoking is a factor associated with premature death, including in older people. Stopping smoking reduces related mortality even after the age of 60. The aim of this study, conducted in a smoking cessation clinic, was to describe the characteristics of these older smokers and their quit attempts. METHOD: A retrospective study was performed from the patient files of a smoking cessation clinic between 1999/01/01 and 2009/12/31; "older" smokers (≥60 years; n=181) were compared to "young" smokers (<60 years; n=1425). RESULTS: Compared to young smokers, older smokers had a higher frequency of cardio-pulmonary diseases (82.3 % vs. 46.7 %; P<0.0001) and current depressions (45.3% vs. 35.7%; P=0.012); their abstinence rate at 12 months was higher (44.2% vs. 32.9%; P=0.0025). An age over 60 years was associated with a higher success rate (OR=1.83; CI 95%: 1.29-2.59). CONCLUSION: Cessation smoking attempts are as likely to be successful in older smokers as in younger smokers. Physicians should advise and assist older smokers to quit and if necessary refer them to smoking cessation clinics. Smoking cessation guidelines therefore will apply without reserve in seniors.
