Background: In lung cancer, smoking is the strongest modifiable risk factor. Smoking cessation is associated with improved survival and quality of life. Smoking cessation support should therefore be introduced already during the diagnostic workup.

Aim: To explore characteristics of current, former and never smokers with suspected lung cancer.

Methods: Patients referred with suspected lung cancer at Vejle Hospital, Denmark were invited to complete an online survey including questions about sociodemographic factors, smoking status, quit attempts, nicotine addiction (Fagerström?s test; 0=low addiction to 10=high addiction) and perceived importance, motivation and confidence to stop smoking (100 mm Visual Analogue Scale); 0=low to 100=high).

Results: A total of 161 patients completed the survey (mean age: 63.2 yrs; % female: 48.4), 28 (17%) were current, 78 (48%) former and 55 (34%) never smokers. Current smokers reported a mean nicotine addiction level of 3.6 (SD=2.3) and an average of 5 (SD=3.2) previous cessation attempts. On average, their perceived importance of quitting was 78 mm (SD=32.9), motivation to quit was 60 mm (SD=34.4) and confidence in ability to quit was 61 mm (SD=31.0). Former smokers reported an average of 4 (SD=3.9) cessation attempts and a median abstinence period of 181 months (range: 0 to 654).

Conclusion: In our survey, at least every fifth patient is a current smoker and should be given advice and assistance to stop smoking. Patients are generally aware of the importance of smoking cessation, but need support to manage addiction and increase motivation to quit. Moreover, clinicians should be aware that half of the patients are former smokers with risk of relapse.