Abstract

Objective: The aim of the current study was to examine smokers’ beliefs towards the credibility of exercise and
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) as cessation aids while partaking in a quit-smoking program. Method: A
subsample (n = 149) of female smokers underwent a 14-week cessation program involving exercise and NRT.
Credibility beliefs were collected at baseline (before quitting), week 5 (one week after quitting), and week 14
(end of program). Smoking status was assessed at week 14 by breath expired into a carbon monoxide (CO)
reader. Participants who demonstrated a CO score of < 6 ppm were considered “quitters” and those who had
levels of ? 6 ppm or failed to attend the assessment were considered “smokers”. Results: Quitters’ exercise and
NRT credibility beliefs significantly increased over time; however, no treatment by time interaction effect was
found. No significant differences were found between smokers’ and quitters’ exercise and NRT credibility
beliefs assessed at baseline. A significant difference was found between smokers’ and quitters’ week 5 exercise
credibility scores, but not for week 5 NRT. Conclusions: For clinicians prescribing exercise as a smoking
cessation aid, it is recommended that their patients’ treatment credibility beliefs be assessed and reinforced,
particularly during their first week of quitting.

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