Objectives: We examined patterns of smoking cessation among Latinos, with particular attention to gender, acculturation, and national background.

Methods: Data are from the Hispanic Community Health Study (HCHS)/Study of Latinos (SOL), a population-based study of 16,415 non-institutionalized Latinos ages 18-74 from a stratified random sample of households in Chicago, Miami, the Bronx, and San Diego. Findings are based on 6,398 participants who reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime. Associations with smoking cessation outcomes were assessed with bivariate and multivariate analyses.

Results: Approximately equal proportions of men (45.0%) and women (43.8%) were former smokers. Notable gender differences in smoking cessation were found across national backgrounds. Among women, but not men, younger and more socially acculturated individuals had lower odds of sustaining cessation. Over 90% of female and male former smokers reported quitting on their own without prescriptions, over the counter aids, or behavioral therapy.

Conclusions: Many Latinos are self-motivated to quit and are able to do so without clinical assistance. Heterogeneity in smoking behaviors among Latinos should be taken into account when developing and delivering smoking cessation interventions and public health campaigns.