Background:
Female has been targeted as new consumers of tobacco products by tobacco companies, and female smoking prevalence has been increased in the world including recent increasing in some Asian countries. However, there are lack of studies to investigate factors associated with the successful quit among female smokers regarding their gender specific characteristics and response to socio-psychological environments for quitting.

Methods:
Between 2006 and 2015, 3,360 female smokers registered users of Quitline in Korea, aged more than 19 years old, and have complete information in need were followed for 1year and included in the final analysis to investigate which factors associated with the short and long term successful quit (30 days and 1 year abstinence of smoking). Baseline information on age, education level, marital status, body mass index (BMI), frequency of alcohol drinking per month, nicotine dependency, self-efficacy for smoking cessation, presence of quit supporter, and mental illness were collect­ed upon Quitline registration. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identify the factors associated with successful quit and its' maintenance.

Results:
24.4% and 8.3% of 3,360 female users showed successful quit rate for 30 days and 1 year, respectively. The significant association with short term cessation was found in lower nicotine dependency, higher self-efficacy, and presence of a quit supporter, and higher education level and higher self-efficacy for quit was identified as key factors increase long term cessation. Having mental illness significantly decreased the short and long term cessation. Long term cessation showed the decreasing trend by the increase of frequency of alcohol drinking and level of nicotine dependency.

Conclusions:
Increase self-efficacy for quit, having quit supporters, and intervening negative health behaviour such as frequent alcohol drinking should be included in the tailored cessation program for female smokers. Development of intensive cessation program for smokers having mental illness might be considered.