Effects of Smoking Cessation among University Students Treated with Motivational Counseling Combined with Vernonia cinerea Lozenges in Phetchabun Province, Thailand

Abstract

Smoking remains a major public health problem that adversely affects population health and imposes substantial economic burdens. University students and young adults are particularly vulnerable to initiating and maintaining smoking behaviors. This study aimed to compare the smoking cessation rates among university students who received counseling based on the 5A model alone and those who received 5A counseling combined with Vernonia cinerea lozenge (ya-om Ya Dok Khao) in higher education institutions in Phetchabun Province, Thailand. In addition, the study examined potential side effects of the herbal product by assessing kidney and liver function through blood tests. This research employed a quasi-experimental design using a two-group pretest–posttest approach. A total of 96 participants were recruited and allocated into an experimental group (n = 48) and a control group (n = 48), with the sample size determined using the G*Power program. The experimental group received smoking cessation counseling based on the 5A model together with Vernonia cinerea lozenges for 8 weeks, whereas the control group received 5A counseling alone. Research instruments included a demographic questionnaire and laboratory blood tests to evaluate kidney and liver function. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics, including paired samples t-test, independent t-test, and Chi-square test to compare differences in smoking behavior and biochemical parameters between the experimental and control groups.

The results revealed that the smoking cessation rate in the experimental group was 72.92%, whereas the control group had a cessation rate of 31.25%. The use of Vernonia cinerea lozenges in combination with 5A counseling did not produce adverse effects on kidney or liver function, as no statistically significant differences were observed in biochemical parameters (p > 0.05), indicating the safety of this herbal intervention. These findings suggest that the combined approach may be an effective and safe strategy for smoking cessation among university students. The intervention could be applied in “Smoke-Free University” initiatives and contributes to the promotion of public health in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly the goal of ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all.