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Changes in self-reported smoking and variation in cotinine and CO levels in a cohort of smokers recruited to a smoking cessation trial
Viv Binnie, Lecturer, University of Glasgow Dental School

Abstract
There is increasing interest in smoking reduction, either in the form of harm reduction or as a precursor to quitting. However, whether smoking reduction per se, can lead to a reduction of risk of disease is unclear. One hundred and eighteen participants were recruited into a smoking cessation trial in a secondary care setting. Baseline information was collected on smoking history and nicotine dependence, and exhaled air samples for CO measurement in addition to un stimulated saliva for cotinine analysis by the use of immunoassay kits (Cozart Ltd, UK). Available data for the self-reported smokers numbered 87 at 3 months and 62 at 6 months. At 3 months the median reduction in number of cigarettes per day (CPD) was 25%, compared to 27% at 6 months. At 3 months, there was a slightly higher mean reduction in cotinine level from baseline in the group who reported reducing their CPD (38.7 (SD 99.7) ng/ml) compared to the group who did not (18.0 (SD 115.4) ng/ml). This difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.40). At 6 months, there was a significantly higher mean reduction in cotinine in the group who reported reducing their CPD compared to those who did not (Reduced: 60.6 (SD 90.2) ng/ml; Not Reduced: 2.2 (SD 113.9) ng/ml; p = 0.04). With regards to CO levels, there was little difference at either 3 or 6 months between the groups who did and did not report reducing their CPD. Cotinine can more readily measure changes in smoking than CO, however, the longer-term clinical implications of smoking reduction and its verification, need further investigation.

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Biography
Dr Viv Binnie is lecturer in Dental Public Health, based at Glasgow Dental School, University of Glasgow. Her research interests include the role of oral health professionals in tobacco-related work, and the biochemical verification of smoking cessation, including the use of cotinine. She has also managed two smoking cessation trials within a secondary care setting, including an RCT with periodontal patients (the topic of her PhD), and has received funding from ASH Scotland (PATH) to utilise behaviour change counseling with patients who have potentially malignant lesions. She lectures on the topic of smoking cessation at undergraduate, postgraduate and continuing professional education levels. Dr Binnie is currently chair of the Scottish Tobacco Researchers Group, and a member of the coordinating group of Scottish Tobacco Control Alliance.

Viv Binnie
University of Glasgow Dental School
378 Sauchiehall St,
Glasgow
G2 3JZ

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