Stages of Change and Smoking Behaviour for smokers in the UK and Kuwait - Essay Example

While making any comparison between the approaches involved in studying the changes in smoking behaviour of populations in western European and Arabic societies, it is imperative to consider the stark differences existing in the vastly diverse cultural, social and religious backgrounds in the two regions and the ethnic composition and outlook of the peoples within the nations, both in Europe and West Asia. These combined with social attitudes and regional laws can impact compliance of any behavioural change in any deliberate attempt to change tobacco use habits.

There is now a concerted effort by international organizations like the WHO and national governments worldwide to discourage smoking and people are being made aware of the risk that tobacco use poses to life. However, tobacco use is an addictive habit and very difficult to give up due to psychological as well as physiological dependence. It needs great persuasion and a systematic approach by the health authorities as well as the willingness of the population at risk to attain any degree of success in getting rid of this habit.

Smoking cessation programs have been designed keeping in view the willingness of smokers to quit which is of primary importance, as in most populations studied worldwide majority smoker populations have absolutely no intention of quitting when approached with this suggestion for the first time (Dijkstra et al, 1996). The authors believe that smoking cessation cannot be envisioned as a dichotomous process. Rather, it is a multi stage process wherein the participants go through different motivational stages and the subsequent maintenance of the non smoking status.

Smoking is considered a negative behaviour which has vital mental and health consequences not only for the practitioner, but for the passive smoker as well. Past studies have suggested that quitting smoking