Table 3

A summary of the self-reported barriers to smoking cessation—qualitative and mixed methods studies by vulnerable group

BarrierLow SES groups (n=22)Indigenous groups (n=16)People with a mental illness(n=13)Homeless groups (n=3)Prisoner groups (n=2)At-risk youth (n=1)Multiple groups (n=1)
Individual and lifestyle factors
 Stress management50–59 61–63 65–6972 74 75 79 81 83 84 86 8789 90 92 93 95–98 105108110111112
 Enjoyment50 54–56 59 62 63 65 6779 81–8389 90 92–94 97 98 105 111
 Addiction49 50 54 57 59 67–6972 74 75 81 83 84 8690–92 98 
 Habit50 57 65 6875 79 83 8492 105 
 Mental health benefits58 677489 91–99 
 Weight gain30 49 52–54 64 6772 74 8491 98 
 Competing priorities56 6374 75 8789 91 98 99108 
 Rationalisations54–56 58 61 6774 78 82 8789 97 
 Other substance use49 56 59 6274 76 81 8489 112
 Autonomy56 58 688393 97–99 
 Low confidence52 53 56 63 67 6973 8492 96 98 112
 Cognitive benefits518393–95 
 Loneliness52 59 6593 97 98 
 Low risk of harm588795 97 
 Low motivation92 94 97 98 
 Past failed attempts6174 
 Positive smoker image30 5797 
Social and community networks
 Prevalence and acceptability30 51–54 56 62 66 68 6972 74 76 79 83 85–8790 91 93 95 96 105108110111112
 Lack of social support30 49 54–56 58 64 67–6974 75 77 79 83 8491 94 98108
 Social activity30 49 53 57 6273–75 79 85 8789 90 92 93 95 97 98 
 Lack of health and other professional support52 54–56 5874 77 79 83 8691–93 95 96108110111112
Living and working conditions
 Access to quit resources52 55 56 61–6472–74 78 81 85 8693 96 98108110
 Boredom50–52 54–56 59 6575 8690 94 95 97 99108110
 Concerns regarding treatment50 52 56 58 61–63 6972–74 77 78 81 8691 93 96 105108
 Stressful factors56 58 59 62 63 65 6874 75 85 110
 Living and working circumstances30 54 587496 
Cultural, socioeconomic and environmental factors
 Cultural norms56 6272–75 78 81–83 85–8793 94 98 110
 Socioeconomic factors6597 

  • SES, socioeconomic status.