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Cited by 168Smoking Behavior and CessationSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesBehavioral Health and Interventions

The feasibility of smoking reduction: an update

Open access
Hughes, John R., Carpenter, Matthew J.·2005·Addiction
DOI 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.01174.xPMC PMC1419056
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Abstract

AIM: To update conclusions of a previous review of smoking reduction on the extent to which (1) smokers spontaneously reduce their smoking, (2) smokers who try to quit and fail return to smoking less, (3) smokers can substantially reduce and maintain reductions via pharmacological and behavioral treatments and (4) smokers compensate when they reduce. METHOD: Qualitative systematic review. DATA SOURCES: Systematic computer searches and other methods. STUDY SELECTION: Published and unpublished studies of smokers not trying to stop smoking. We located 13-26 studies for each of the four aims. DATA EXTRACTION: The first author entered data with confirmation by second author. DATA SYNTHESIS: Due to the heterogeneity of methods and necessity of extensive recalculation, a meta-analysis was not feasible. RESULTS: Few daily smokers spontaneously reduce. Among those who try to stop smoking and relapse, some return to reduced smoking but whether they maintain this reduction is unclear. Nicotine replacement (and perhaps behavior therapies) can induce smokers not interested in quitting to make significant reductions in their smoking and maintain these over time. Some compensatory smoking occurs with reduction but significant declines in smoke exposure still occur. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that reduction is feasible when aided by treatment. Whether reduction should be promoted will depend on the effect of reduction on health outcomes and future cessation.

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  • Smokers engage in significant compensatory smoking so that a 50% or greater reduction in cigarette consumption only results in a 30% reduction in biomarkers for toxicant exposure and modest reductions in biomarkers for cardiovascular risk.

    “Smokers engage in significant compensatory smoking so that a 50% or greater reduction in cigarette consumption, only results in a 30% reduction in biomarkers for toxicant exposure (125, 126) and modest reductions in biomarkers for cardiovascular risk (127).”

    From Tobacco addiction (2008) · cites this paper as [125]

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Research works printed but not linked: 9

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Authors
Hughes, J. R., & Carpenter, M. J.
Affiliations
  • University of Vermont (US)
  • Medical University of South Carolina (US)
Corresponding author
Hughes, John R.
ORCID
Venue
Addiction
Publisher
Wiley
Published
2005-07-25
Volume
100
Issue
8
Pages
1074-1089
ISSN
  • 0965-2140 (ISSN-L)
  • 1360-0443
DOI
10.1111/j.1360-0443.2005.01174.x
PMC
PMC1419056
OpenAlex
W2148375316
Cited by
168
References
96
Citations by year
2026: 1 · 2025: 3 · 2024: 2 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 2 · 2021: 3 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 6 · 2018: 8 · 2017: 8 · 2016: 7 · 2015: 15 · 2014: 9 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 9
FWCI
1.50
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/termsAndConditions#vor (vor)
Locations
  • Addiction (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Institutes of Health
  • National Institute on Drug Abuse (DA-11557, Z01DA000490, R01DA011557, K05DA000490)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Applied Psychology › Behavioral Health and Interventions
Keywords
smoking reduction, nicotine replacement therapy, compensatory smoking
MeSH terms
Smoking Prevention, Adolescent, Counseling, Humans, Psychotherapy, Smoking, Smoking Cessation, Bupropion, Dopamine Uptake Inhibitors, Harm Reduction

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