Women smoke to:
- relieve emotional discomfort
- reduce tension
Situations involving these types of negative emotions are considered to be key triggers for women to relapse after quitting. (Men relapse more in positive situations such as social events.)1
A woman’s ability to cope successfully with negative situations and emotions is an important determinant for successful smoking cessation and maintenance.
Women who are under greater pressure in the workplace are less likely to relapse. Work pressure may be linked to feelings of accomplishment and job satisfaction, while lower levels of work pressure may be linked to underutilization and boredom.2
1 Berman BA, Gritz ER. Women and smoking: current trends and issues for the 1990s. J Subs Abuse; 3:221-238.
2 Chollat-Traquet C. Women and tobacco. World Health Organization. 1992. |
