Does Pre-cessation Physical Activity Impact Smoking Treatment Outcomes? A Longitudinal Study of Treatment-seeking Smokers in the General Population

Abstract

Objectives: This study determines whether pre-cessation physical activity behavior is associated with either smoking cessation or tobacco harm reduction. Methods: Data were collected from a longitudinal study of treatment-seeking smokers making a quit attempt after distributing cost-free nicotine replacement therapy. Logistic regression analyses were used to determine the association between pre-cessation physical activity behavior and smoking treatment outcomes. Results: There was no association between pre-cessation physical activity and smoking abstinence. However, smokers that engaged in physical activity for ≥ 3 days were associated with significantly greater odds for achieving significant smoking reduction at 3 months (AOR = 1.48, 95% CI [1.102 – 1.989], p = 0.009), 6-months (AOR = 1.62, 95% CI [1.195 – 2.187], p = 0.002) and 12-months (AOR = 1.76, 95% CI [1.290 – 2.411], p