Prevalence of smoking and factors associated with smoking cessation among diabetic patients in Chongqing, China: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Smoking is associated with accelerated progression of diabetes, whereas smoking cessation supports better disease control. This study aimed to determine the smoking prevalence, factors associated with quitting, and the barriers to and needs for smoking cessation among diabetic patients, in order to provide a basis for targeted smoking cessation interventions. METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2025. A convenience sampling method was used to survey 1736 diabetic patients with a self-administered questionnaire at 10 community health service centers in Chongqing, China. Data were collected on sociodemographic characteristics, glycemic control, history of comorbid chronic conditions, history of diabetic complications, smoke-free home environment, knowledge of the association between smoking and diabetes, and attitudes or beliefs about smoking cessation. Chi-squared tests, Kruskal-Wallis H tests, and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with smoking cessation. Adjusted odds ratios (AORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated for the logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among the 1736 diabetic patients, 25.6% were current smokers, 16.0% were former smokers, and 58.4% were never smokers. Glycemic control (AOR=0.61; 95% CI: 0.37-1.00), history of comorbid chronic conditions (AOR=3.91; 95% CI: 1.93-7.92), smoke-free home environment (AOR=3.12; 95% CI: 1.99-4.87), knowledge of the association between smoking and diabetes (AOR=1.11; 95% CI: 1.06-1.16), and attitudes or beliefs about smoking cessation (AOR=1.40; 95% CI: 1.31-1.48) were associated with smoking cessation among diabetic patients. Overall, 50.6% of the patients attributed their barriers to cessation to strong nicotine addiction and discomfort after quitting. CONCLUSIONS: The smoking rate among diabetic patients in Chongqing is relatively high, and fewer than half of current smokers reported an intention to quit smoking. Smoking cessation among diabetic patients was associated with glycemic control, history of comorbid chronic conditions, smoke-free home environment, knowledge of the association between smoking and diabetes, and attitudes or beliefs about smoking cessation.