Compared with continuing to smoke, quitting smoking was associated with a significant decrease in stress (SMD −0.27, 95% CI −0.40 to −0.13; P<0.001) from baseline to follow-up (I=0%; fig 2).
Compared with continuing to smoke, quitting smoking was associated with a significant decrease in mixed anxiety and depression from baseline to follow-up (SMD −0.31, 95% confidence interval −0.47 to −0.14; P<0.001; I=0%; fig 2).
Compared with continuing to smoke, quitting smoking was associated with a significant improvement in psychological quality of life from baseline to follow-up (SMD 0.22, 95% confidence interval 0.09 to 0.36; P<0.361).
Compared with continuing to smoke, quitting smoking was associated with a significant decrease in depression from baseline to follow-up (SMD −0.25, 95% confidence interval −0.37 to −0.12; P<0.001; I=30%; fig 2).
Compared with continuing to smoke, quitting smoking was associated with a significant decrease in anxiety from baseline to follow-up (standardised mean difference (SMD) −0.37, 95% confidence interval −0.70 to −0.03; P=0.03).
Compared with continuing to smoke, quitting smoking was associated with a significant increase in positive affect from baseline to follow-up (SMD 0.40, 95% confidence interval 0.09 to 0.71; P=0.01; I=49%; fig 3).
Objective To investigate change in mental health after smoking cessation compared with continuing to smoke.
For example, a recent meta-analysis of observational studies examined changes in mental health after smoking cessation compared with continuing to smoke.
Most smokers want to quit 1 2 but report continuing to smoke because they feel that smoking helps them cope with stress and offers other mental health benefits.
Evidence from observational studies shows a decrease in cardiovascular events in progression of atherosclerosis in those who quit smoking compared with those continuing to smoke cigarettes.
To receive incentives on the scheme while continuing to smoke This was operationalized by self-report of not smoking, validated by CO levels compatible with not smoking, but salivary cotinine, collected at 28 and 36 weeks gestation, and 2 days and 6 months postpartum, compatible with smoking (>15 ng/ml).
