Identifying Subgroups Among Current Smokers Enrolled in the Smoking Cessation Clinic Program: A Latent Class Analysis Approach

Background: Smoking cessation outcomes vary widely across individuals, yet clinic-based services often rely on uniform intervention strategies. Understanding heterogeneity in smoking behaviors, co-occurring health behaviors, and cessation-related psychological profiles may help refine community-based cessation services. This study aimed to identify distinct subgroups of smokers enrolled in public health center-based smoking cessation clinics and to examine differences in cessation outcomes and related characteristics across subgroups. Methods: Data from 21,105 newly enrolled adults attending 16 public health center-based smoking cessation clinics in C Province were drawn from the Smoking Cessation Service Integrated Information System of the National Tobacco Control Center. Latent class analysis was conducted using five indicators: time to first cigarette, cigarettes per day, prior quit attempts, alcohol use, and physical activity. Associations between latent class membership, covariates, and distal outcomes were examined using a three-step approach. Results: Four distinct latent classes were identified: Sedentary heavy smokers (46.8%), Active social heavy smokers (34.6%), Inactive-nicotine addictive-light smokers (13.6%), and Active lifestyle light smokers (5.0%). The latent classes showed different socioeconomic, smoking-related, and cessation-related confidence. Six-month cessation successes differed across classes, with higher abstinence among light-smoking classes and among Sedentary Heavy Smokers relative to Active Social Heavy Smokers. Conclusion: These findings highlight the value of person-centered profiling for informing more precise, context-sensitive cessation strategies and support the integration of behavioral and environmental considerations into community-based tobacco control programs.