This study investigated the relationships among Japanese nursing professionals' percetions of the importance of smoking cessation support (SCS), attitude toward SCS, SCS self-efficacy, and SCS behaviors. An anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was administered to 613 nursing professionals (valid response rate: 89.9%) who participated in SCS workshops in Japan between May 2019 and February 2020. The survey measured factors such as SCS behaviors (the 5 As) and attitude toward SCS. Participants responded that they "always" or "usually" performed the 5 As at the following rates: Ask, 65.6%; Advise, 46.7%; Assess, 34.4%; Assist, 19.7%; and Arrange, 20.9%. Significant differences in implementation rates between "non-engagers" and "engagers" were found for all steps except Ask. Those who engaged daily in SCS had significantly higher scores for SCS behaviors and SCS perceived importance, attitude, and self-efficacy than those who did not. Structural equation modeling yielded a model with 61% explanatory power, which demonstrated that beliefs about and perceived importance of SCS had a greater impact on SCS behaviors than self-efficacy. Promotion of SCS behaviors among nursing professionals in Japan requires the beliefs about and recognition of the importance of SCS to be improved. The importance of engaging in SCS daily is also recommended.
Keywords: Japan; nurses; smoking cessation support; structural equation modeling.