Table 3 Factors perceived to inhibit smoking cessation attempt

Disregarding the consequences of smoking & quitting

On the baby's health. Discounting the harm of smoking because of having experienced disconfirming situations. Also discounting harm because of reduced cigarette consumption or because of inability to visualise baby and disregarding the benefits of quitting at advanced pregnancy stage

On personal health. Blocking out personal health concerns and disregarding harms of smoking due to lack of relevant experience or by dissociating self from smokers with health problems

Dispositional

factors

Personality. Possessing traits associated with a decreased ability to maintain focus and an increased likelihood of giving in to temptations

Lack of motivation. Not really wanting to quit because of enjoying smoking or not considering quitting important

Mood. Being in a negative mood

Perceived benefits

of smoking

To deal with stress. Thinking that smoking helps with stress and using it to calm nerves down

To deal with boredom. Smoking when bored

To control weight. Thinking that smoking helps control weight and that quitting would result in weight-gain

For social inclusion. Feeling left out when not smoking and using smoking for social inclusion

Addiction

Habit & Associations. Associating smoking with certain times of the day and being used to smoking in certain contexts

Cravings. Experiencing cravings for cigarettes and smoking

Exogenous

Lack of social support

Not receiving encouragement or praise, being told not to smoke and not having non-smoker peers to set example

Exposure to smoke

Being exposed to smoke in the immediate environment

Availability of cigarettes & opportunity to smoke

Smoking in situations that allow doing so, such as in the absence of certain people or when cigarettes are accessible

Stop Smoking Services

Lack of Support& Advice. Being judged, not being listen to, not being given sufficient explanations and advise, not being followed-up and lacking attention and individualised support

NRT provision problems. Not receiving the appropriate NRT

Lack of expertise. Lack of experience regarding smoking cessation in general and during pregnancy

Accessibility issues. Service not being local, waiting long to get an appointment or getting appointments at inconvenient times

Financial incentives

Problems with getting the vouchers