Cessation Fatigue Predicts Smoking Relapse Risk Independently of Vaping and Time Since Quitting

Cessation fatigue has been found to be a significant predictor of smoking relapse risk among individuals who have attempted to quit smoking. According to a recent study published in the journal Addiction, cessation fatigue may be a more accurate predictor of relapse risk than measures such as reported strength of urges to smoke and abstinence self-efficacy. The study, which analyzed data from over 1,900 individuals who participated in the International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey, found that cessation fatigue was a strong predictor of relapse risk, even when controlling for other factors such as vaping and time since quitting.

Key Takeaways:

• The study found that cessation fatigue was a stronger predictor of smoking relapse risk than reported strength of urges to smoke and abstinence self-efficacy.
• Cessation fatigue was found to be a significant independent predictor of relapse risk, even when controlling for other factors such as vaping and time since quitting.
• The study analyzed data from over 1,900 individuals who participated in the International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey between 2016 and 2022.
• The study used generalized estimating equations logistic regression models to test for associations and moderation between cessation fatigue, vaping, time since quitting, and relapse risk.
• The study found that moderate and high levels of cessation fatigue were associated with increased relapse risk, with odds ratios of 1.64 and 1.81, respectively.

Statistics:

• The study analyzed data from over 1,900 individuals who participated in the International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey.
• The study found that cessation fatigue was a significant predictor of relapse risk, with an odds ratio of 1.64 (95% CI = 1.21-2.23) for moderate cessation fatigue, and an odds ratio of 1.81 (95% CI = 1.07-3.07) for high cessation fatigue.
• The study found that vaping and time since quitting were also significant predictors of relapse risk, but only when controlling for cessation fatigue.
• The study was conducted between 2016 and 2022, and analyzed data from four countries: Canada, the United States, England, and Australia.

Sources:

• NewsRx. Data on Science Reported by Researchers at Deakin University (Understanding the role of cessation fatigue in smoking relapse: Findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey). Health & Medicine Week. October 31, 2025; p 689.
• Understanding the role of cessation fatigue in smoking relapse: Findings from the International Tobacco Control Four Country Smoking and Vaping Survey. Addiction, 2025.
• Wiley. Addiction. (www.wiley.com/)
• Deakin University. School of Psychology. (deakin.edu.au/school-of-psychology)