Smoking Cessation in Older Adults: A Review

Victoria A. Walker, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.
Heather E. Whitson, MD, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, USA.

Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death worldwide. Though older adults are the segment of the population least likely to smoke, they incur significant morbidity and mortality from tobacco use and can benefit from quitting. Older smokers have beliefs regarding smoking and motivating factors for cessation that differ from younger adults. Clinicians should understand these unique factors and can then use strategies to assist the older adult in smoking cessation.
Key words: smoking cessation, tobacco, epidemiology, older adults, prevention.