Smokers who kick the butt gradually or cold turkey have similar success

Washington, March 18 (ANI): Smokers who kick the habit gradually or cold turkey have similar success, according to a new research review.

The authors analysed 10 studies with 3,760 participants and studies had a minimum six-month follow-up period.

Lead reviewer Nicola Lindson, a researcher at the U.K. Centre for Tobacco Control Studies at the University of Birmingham, England, said: "All participants were asked to choose or were given a quit day to work toward, whether they quit gradually or abruptly.

"In these structured circumstances reduction was as successful as abrupt quitting."

The studies all differed on the instructions given to participants on how they should reduce the amount of cigarettes smoked. For instance, one study asked them to reduce their smoking by 50 percent over four weeks and then quit completely. Another study asked volunteers to lower their smoking by five to 10 cigarettes per week over five weeks until they were not smoking at all.

Four studies gave subjects either self-help information booklets or a handheld computer program to educate them on either of the assigned smoking cessation methods. Five studies gave participants either behavioural support through face-to-face counselling or via telephone calls, which taught strategies to help them avoid smoking when tempted. One study gave participants both self-help booklets and behavioural counselling.

Three studies gave participants nicotine replacement therapy, such as nicotine gum and lozenges, to help with either the smoking reduction or abrupt quitting.

Lindson said: "At present, reduction is not recommended by national guidelines in the U.K. and U.S., so many sources of support do not offer a gradual quitting option."

Jessica Kelly, manager of Advocacy and Respiratory Health Programs at the American Lung Association of Indiana, said: "The American Lung Association advocates that those who wish to quit smoking do so with multiple intervention techniques.

"Most smokers need more than one attempt to quit smoking and some may find that different combinations of therapies will work better for their needs and lifestyle."

The review has been published in the current issue of The Cochrane Library, a publication of The Cochrane Collaboration. (ANI)