Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking Cessation
Authors: John R. Hughes, Elias M. Klemperer
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (2016)

Letters15 November 2016Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking CessationJohn R. Hughes, MD and Elias M. Klemperer, BAJohn R. Hughes, MDFrom University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.Search for more papers by this author and Elias M. Klemperer, BAFrom University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/L16-0402 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail TO THE EDITOR:Lindson-Hawley and colleagues (1) suggest several interpretations of their finding that gradual cessation produces worse outcomes than abrupt cessation. We would like to add 3 others.First, their study included smokers already motivated to quit smoking. Gradual reduction has also been used in smokers not motivated to quit smoking. It motivates these smokers to make a quit attempt and increases their probability of eventual abstinence compared with no treatment (2), probably because such reduction increases self-efficacy, teaches coping skills needed to avoid smoking, and reduces dependence (3, 4). Thus, distinguishing between using reduction to motivate smokers to ...References1. Lindson-Hawley N, Banting M, West R, Michie S, Shinkins B, Aveyard P. Gradual versus abrupt smoking cessation: a randomized, controlled noninferiority trial. Ann Intern Med. 2016;164:585-92. [PMID: 26975007]. doi:10.7326/M14-2805 LinkGoogle Scholar2. Wu P, Wilson K, Dimoulas P, Mills EJ. Effectiveness of smoking cessation therapies: a systematic review and meta-analysis. BMC Public Health. 2006;6:300. [PMID: 17156479] CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. Lindson N, Aveyard P, Hughes JR. Reduction versus abrupt cessation in smokers who want to quit. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010:CD008033. [PMID: 20238361] doi:10.1002/14651858.CD008033.pub2 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. Hughes JR, Solomon LJ, Livingston AE, Callas PW, Peters EN. A randomized, controlled trial of NRT-aided gradual vs. abrupt cessation in smokers actively trying to quit. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2010;111:105-13. [PMID: 20537810] doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2010.04.007 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. Hughes JR, Callas PW. Is delaying a quit attempt associated with less success? Nicotine Tob Res. 2011;13:1228-32. [PMID: 21908460] doi:10.1093/ntr/ntr207 CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: From University of Vermont, Burlington, Vermont.Disclosures: Disclosures can be viewed at www.acponline.org/authors/icmje/ConflictOfInterestForms.do?msNum=L16-0402. 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 Macé M. Schuurmans Gradual Versus Abrupt Smoking Cessation Robert West , Nicola Lindson-Hawley , and Paul Aveyard Metrics Cited byCommentary on Guillaumier et al . (2020): Is harm reduction a suitable outcome for historically hard‐to‐treat smokers?An Update on Hardening: A Qualitative ReviewSmoking reduction interventions for smoking cessation 15 November 2016Volume 165, Issue 10Page: 741KeywordsDisclosureIntent to treat analysisMotivationNicotine replacement therapySmoking cessation ePublished: 15 November 2016 Issue Published: 15 November 2016 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2016 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...