Better to Quit Cigs that to Cut Back:
12/25/00
Heavy smokers who merely cut back their habit rather than quit may not see any health benefits, researchers say.
The Mayo Clinic studied 23 volunteers who smoked more than 40 cigarettes a day. They tried gradually to cut back to 10 cigarettes a day over nine weeks.
The volunteers were told how to help deal with nicotine withdrawal and were allowed to use a nicotine inhaler, but on average, they were able to cut their smoking rate only in half by the 12th week - well short of the target. And only two participants were able to cut back to 10 cigarettes a day, and after 24 weeks, they had increased their daily smoking rate.
"The study found that cutting back on cigarettes isn't easy, even with help, and the health benefits are unclear," lead researcher Dr. Richard Hurt said.
"Many people - smokers and medical professionals alike - assume that if smokers can simply cut back, there will be some health benefits. Our results didn't show that."
Clive Bates, of the group Action on Smoking and Health, said studies show it's possible to get as much nicotine by smoking fewer cigarettes but taking deeper drags and more puffs.
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