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Presenter(s)
Professor John Hughes Department of Psychiatry, University of Vermont, USA
Abstract
Reducing the number of cigarettes smoked per day occurs very commonly. In over 20 studies, NRTs consistently aid smokers to reduce. Using NRT while continuing to smoke and reducing does not produce significant adverse events. Behavioral methods to reduce include a) gradually increasing interval between cigarettes and ) giving up easy-to-forego igarettes initially and more difficult ones later. Reduction in smokers not actively trying to quit increases the probability of later quitting. No studies have found reduction undermines quitting. Reduction can be an alternative to motivate quit attempts when brief advice or motivational interviewing have failed. Reduction in smoking prior to a quit attempt in smokers trying to quit (i.e. gradual cessation) appears to be as effective as abrupt cessation.
Source of funding: None
Declaration of interest: Dr Hughes has received fees from almost all of the companies who develop smoking cessation devices, medications and services, from governmental and academic institutions, and from public and private organizations that promote tobacco control
