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Smoking attitudes in patients referred to a city-wide urgent ENT head and neck cancer service: an exploratory study looking at current smokers

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 April 2025

Ehsan E. Salim Open the ORCID record for Ehsan E. Salim [Opens in a new window] ,
Alison Lim Open the ORCID record for Alison Lim [Opens in a new window]  and
Jenny Montgomery Open the ORCID record for Jenny Montgomery [Opens in a new window]
Ehsan E. Salim*
Affiliation:
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
Alison Lim
Affiliation:
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
Jenny Montgomery
Affiliation:
Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Surgery, Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, Glasgow, UK
*
Corresponding author: Ehsan E. Salim; Email: ehsan.salim2@nhs.scot
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Abstract

Objective

Smoking is a risk factor for head and neck cancer. Referral for suspected head and neck cancer can be an opportunity for reassessing smoking behaviour. This study examined attitudes towards smoking in patients referred urgently with suspected head and neck cancer.

Method

A total of 98 smokers were referred urgently for suspected head and neck cancer. Patients completed the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence and the Perceived Risk and Benefits Questionnaire.

Results

In the Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence, higher education background (education beyond secondary or high school level) had a lower dependence score (p = 0.02) and men were more likely to have higher dependence scores (p = 0.02). In the Perceived Risk and Benefits Questionnaire, women scored higher for concerns regarding the negative effects of smoking cessation (p = 0.01) and the perceived health benefits of smoking cessation were greater in those with higher education (p = 0.03).

Conclusion

Men are more nicotine dependent. Women are concerned about perceived side effects of smoking cessation. Patients with a higher education background are more receptive to cessation interventions and should be identified early.

Keywords

head and neck neoplasmssmokingsmoking cessationtobacco use disorder

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 139 , Issue 7 , July 2025 , pp. 591 - 596
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Ehsan E. Salim takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

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