Smoking habits, awareness and support needs for cessation among people with multiple sclerosis in Australia: findings from an online survey

Abstract

Objectives To assess smoking habits, nicotine use, exposure to passive smoking, awareness of associated harms, and experiences with and preferences for smoking cessation support among people with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design Online survey, convenience sampling. Setting Community setting, Australia. Participants Adults living in Australia with probable or diagnosed MS were recruited via social media and newsletters to participate in 2020. Results Of the 284 participants in our convenience sample, 25.7% were current smokers (n=73) and 38.0% were former smokers (n=108). Awareness of the harms of smoking on MS onset (n=68, 24.3%) and progression (n=116, 41.6%) was low. Almost a quarter (n=67,..