Older Smokers Better At Stopping

Older smokers are more successful in quitting the nicotine habit than younger smokers, Duke University researchers say.

A 10-year study of North Carolina smokers found that older women are more likely to quit and stay off cigarettes than their male counterparts.

In all, 16 percent of elderly quitters returned to the habit vs. the 35-45 percent recidivism rate other research has found among younger smokers. The total amount of people studied was 573 in the sample.

"Something novel may be motivating those older people who do give up smoking -- either they are really motivated to give up the habit or factors outside of their control are influencing the decision to quit," said researcher Heather Whitson.

Possible causes included a diagnosis of cancer or heart disease, financial constraints or a loss of transportation, and moving to assisted living or a relative's home where smoking is not allowed, she said.

The study was published in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.