Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking Cessation
Authors: Robert West, Nicola Lindson-Hawley, Paul Aveyard
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2016)

Letters15 November 2016Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking CessationRobert West, PhD, Nicola Lindson-Hawley, PhD, and Paul Aveyard, PhDRobert West, PhDFrom University College London, London, and University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.Search for more papers by this author, Nicola Lindson-Hawley, PhDFrom University College London, London, and University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.Search for more papers by this author, and Paul Aveyard, PhDFrom University College London, London, and University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L16-0401 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail IN RESPONSE:Dr. Hughes and Mr. Klemperer and Dr. Schuurmans rightly point to the limits of the generalizability of our study's findings. When designing a randomized, controlled trial, selecting a particular intervention and choosing what to compare it with is always difficult. Smoking reduction is a complex issue—many possible ways and scenarios to achieve reduction are available, which may result in varying success rates. This strategy is in contrast to abrupt quitting, which allows for less opportunity for variation. Therefore, the general question of whether trying to reduce consumption ahead of a target quit date is counterproductive may have no ...References1. Cheong Y, Yong HH, Borland R. Does how you quit affect success? A comparison between abrupt and gradual methods using data from the International Tobacco Control Policy Evaluation Study. Nicotine Tob Res. 2007;9:801-10. [PMID: 17654293] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. Ebbert JO, Hughes JR, West RJ, Rennard SI, Russ C, McRae TD, et al. Effect of varenicline on smoking cessation through smoking reduction: a randomized clinical trial. JAMA. 2015;313:687-94. [PMID: 25688780] doi:10.1001/jama.2015.280 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Lindson-Hawley N, Shinkins B, West R, Michie S, Aveyard P. Does cigarette reduction while using nicotine replacement therapy prior to a quit attempt predict abstinence following quit date? Addiction. 2016;111:1275-82. [PMID: 26990374] doi:10.1111/add.13330 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University College London, London, and University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom.Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=M14-2805. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetailsSee AlsoGradual Versus Abrupt Smoking Cessation Nicola Lindson-Hawley , Miriam Banting , Robert West , Susan Michie , Bethany Shinkins , and Paul Aveyard Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking Cessation John R. Hughes and Elias M. Klemperer Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking Cessation Macé M. Schuurmans Metrics Cited bySmoking reduction interventions for smoking cessation 15 November 2016Volume 165, Issue 10Page: 742KeywordsDisclosureObservational studiesSmoking cessation ePublished: 15 November 2016 Issue Published: 15 November 2016 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2016 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...