Changes in cigarette smoking after traumatic spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study is to identify changes in the prevalence of cigarette smoking approximately 1 year after discharge from inpatient rehabilitation for spinal cord injury (SCI).

METHOD: Self-report assessments were completed by 129 participants with SCI during initial inpatient rehabilitation and at an average follow-up of 489 days postinjury.

RESULTS

The prevalence of cigarette smoking declined from 36.4% at the time of SCI onset to 18.8%, and was not significantly different from the general population at follow-up.

CONCLUSIONS

Whereas the prevalence of cigarette smoking is elevated at SCI onset, there are significant decreases in the smoking rate over the first 16 months after onset, indicating significant behavioral change.