Effect of smoking reduction on later cessation: A pilot experimental study

• Published in: Nicotine & tobacco research 2003-04, Vol.5 (2), p.155-162
• Main Authors: Carpenter, Matthew J., Hughes, John R., Keely, Josue P.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Administration, Cutaneous; Adult; Behavior Therapy - methods; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Incidence; Male; Motivation; Nicotine - administration & dosage; Nicotinic Agonists - administration & dosage; Pilot Projects; Smoking - therapy; Smoking Cessation - methods; Smoking Prevention; Time Factors
• ISSN: 1462-2203; 1469-994X
• DOI: 10.1080/146222003100007385

It is unclear whether reducing the number of cigarettes in smokers not trying to quit increases or decreases the likelihood of future quitting. In a pilot study, smokers not currently interested in quitting (n = 67) were randomized to two groups. Experimental participants received behavioral treatment and nicotine replacement therapy (choice of gum, patch, or inhaler) to reduce smoking by 50% over 4 weeks, followed by brief advice to quit. Usual-care participants received only brief advice to quit and nicotine replacement if they decided to quit. During the 4-week treatment period, nonabstaining reduction participants decreased from 23 to 14 cigarettes per day (p < .01) and maintained their reduction over the 6-month follow-up period. At the 6-month follow-up, 35% of usual-care and 41% of reduction participants (nonsignificant [ns]) moved forward in their stage of change. Over the 6 months, 34% of usual-care participants had at least one 24-h quit attempt, compared with 25% of reduction participants (ns). A total of 9% of usual-care participants remained quit at 6 months vs. 13% in the reduction group (ns). These preliminary results suggest that adding a reduction option neither increases nor undermines interest in cessation. Higher than expected rates of attempted cessation and quitting in the usual-care group suggest that we recruited smokers whose motivation to quit was above average. Thus, a replication test in a less-motivated group of smokers is needed.