Abstract
Smoking cessation, a health promoting behaviour, reduces likelihood of developing negative health consequences to which smoking is an attributed risk factor. Although cessation interventions may have empirical evidence bases, qualitative investigations can provide understanding of effective intervention characteristics which can be used to inform and guide the continual development of cessation interventions. Six semi-structured interviews were conducted to investigate the smoking cessation process and intervention perceptions from the perspective of former Irish smokers. Thematic analysis led to the development three super-ordinate themes: smoking initiation and maintenance, motivation and commitment and cessation methods and intervention perceptions. Findings span from identification of motivators and hindrances to cessation, the process of cessation, methods used to facilitate cessation as well as broad and specific intervention perceptions. Key findings highlight the important roles intervention awareness, intervention components/characteristics and individual characteristics and preferences play in intervention efficacy perceptions. Implications and recommendations are further discussed. Author keywords: Smoking cessation, intervention perception, health behaviour
