It’s hard to quit: the exploration of the reasons for trouble withdrawal with smoking habits among filipino early adult men

Introduction. Smoking is a long-standing problem that harms people and communities. Various agencies have been trying to design proactive initiatives, but they still struggle to find solutions to prevent illnesses and deaths caused by smoking. Despite numerous attempts to quit, many individuals still struggle to withdraw from this addiction. Hence, this study was conducted to explore the reasons why quitting smoking is challenging for early adult men. Methods. Using a qualitative phenomenological research design, twenty research participants expressed their reasons through in-depth interviews. Results. This study reveals that early adult men continue to smoke despite knowing its health risks due to smoking's perceived role in completing their day, aiding digestion after meals, and providing a deceptive sense of relaxation. Additionally, the difficulties in withdrawing from smoking are attributed to fears of developing smoking-related diseases, the body's adaptation to nicotine's addictive effects, peer influence, intense cravings, and challenges in regulating psychological and emotional responses during withdrawal. These findings highlight the interplay of psychological, social, and habitual factors that sustain smoking habits among early adult men. Conclusions. The study concludes that a combination of ingrained daily routines, social influences, and intense physical and psychological dependencies hinders smoking cessation. Effective smoking cessation interventions must address these challenges, incorporating strategies for emotional regulation, peer support, and tailored therapies to mitigate cravings and withdrawal symptoms. By understanding and targeting the specific reasons for continued smoking and difficulties in cessation, more effective public health strategies can be developed to reduce smoking rates and improve health outcomes in this demographic.