BURLINGTON, Vt., Dec. 7 (UPI) -- Researchers at the University of Vermont found an unexpected, effective alternative to motivate smokers to quit smoking -- cutting back.
The review, published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research, analyzed 19 studies of people who did not want to quit smoking. The researchers found cutting back, typically coupled with the use of nicotine replacement products, led to an increase in quitting in 16 of the studies.
"Cutting back is approved as a method of quitting in several European countries, but not in the United States," said lead author Dr. John Hughes, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Vermont College of Medicine.
"Our review contradicts the commonly held belief that quitting requires stopping abruptly and provides evidence that smokers can quit successfully by reducing the amount of cigarettes smoked. Furthermore, our review indicates cutting back is often a great way to start changing smoking that can lead to eventual quitting."
Hughes and colleague Matthew Carpenter warn that smokers do need to understand that there is no good evidence that cutting back alone decreases smoking-related health risks, and thus clinicians should promote reduction to their patients only as a step towards eventual cessation.
