Smokers More Likely to Quit if Spouse Does
Thu Sep 19,10:36 AM ET

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - With a little help from their spouses, even the most stubborn of smokers can quit, study findings show. 

Researchers found that middle-aged smokers married to other smokers--generally among the most unwilling to kick the habit--are more likely to quit when both spouses make the attempt together. 

Past research has highlighted the importance of a supportive spouse during a smoker's quit attempt. The new study shows that for both men and women, having a smoking spouse join them in the attempt may boost the odds of its success--regardless of other factors that affect smokers' ability to kick the habit, such as age, income and education. 

Middle-aged smokers married to the same may be the toughest to convince of the benefits of giving up smoking, having long resisted the numerous health arguments for quitting. But a spouse's willingness to quit, along with growing concerns about health in old age, may be what some of these smokers need, according to the study authors, led by Dr. Melissa M. Franks of Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. 

SOURCE: Journal of Aging and Health 2002;14:336-354