Women at Higher Risk for Smoking Relapse Than Men
March 10, 2026 by medscape.com
Women at Higher Risk for Smoking Relapse Than Men
Women are equally willing to quit smoking as men but face unique challenges. Research shows women struggle more to quit due to social, behavioral, and biological factors. They are influenced by tobacco marketing, use smoking to manage stress and body weight, and experience stronger urges during hormonal fluctuations. Women metabolize nicotine faster, impacting treatment effectiveness. Tailored cessation strategies, considering hormonal cycles, dosage adjustments, and alternative therapies like cognitive behavioral therapy, are crucial. Gender-specific approaches are needed to address smoking disparities and improve cessation success rates for women. Social, environmental, and biological factors must be considered in comprehensive smoking cessation care.
