A system dynamics approach model for quitting smoking behaviour and an analysis in Turkey

Abstract

It is very important to understand the factors affecting tendency of smoking for healthcare and public policies. Smoking is a major risk factor for health. Smoking cigarettes kills more than alcohol, car accidents, HIV, guns and illegal drugs combined according to the American Cancer Society. In order to manage public policies for the success of smoking cessation, it is essential to understand how this behaviour can be affected and what the important factors are. Tobacco smoking habit is defined as a psychiatric disorder including cognitive, behavioural and physiological symptoms by American Psychiatric Association. Since it is defined as a behavioural disorder we need to make clear understanding of what stages exist and how can they be handled in this behavioural change. This study is done in order to demonstrate the quitting smoking behaviour with stages using System Dynamics (SD) methodology. The Theory of Planned Behaviour (TOPD) and The Stages of Change model (SoC) explains how human behaviour is guided. Different factors which affect quitting smoking behaviour are extracted from these theories. The proposed system dynamics model provides important findings about quitting smoking behaviour model. And these findings can guide the policymakers to improve the behavioural change in smoking addiction. © IEOM Society International.