Parikh NS, Parasram M, White H, et al. - Among stroke survivors, smoking quit ratios vary considerably both demographically as well as geographically. There is a requirement for a targeted initiative in order to improve smoking cessation for stroke survivors.

• A high risk of stroke recurrence and other cardiovascular disease has been reported in relation to continued smoking post-stroke.

• In this cross-sectional analysis of data from an annual, nationally representative health survey, a total of 4,434,604 Americans with a history of stroke and smoking (median age 68 years; 45.4% were women) were included to assess the epidemiology of smoking cessation in stroke survivors in the United States.

• The overall quit ratio was reported to be 60.8%, and variations in quit ratios were evident according to age group, gender, race and ethnicity, and several geographic factors.

• Quit ratios markedly varied geographically, ranging from 48.3% in Kentucky to 71.5% in California.

• Less likelihood of having quit smoking (odds ratio, 0.72) was observed in stroke survivors vs cancer survivors, post-accounting for disparities in demographics and smoking-related comorbidities.