Trying to Quit Smoking: Gradual or Cold Turkey?
There are many products on the market to aid smokers in overcoming their addiction to nicotine. Whether they choose a patch, gum or some other method, every smoker who wants to quit must decide whether they will allow a gradual weaning off cigarettes or if they want to see an immediate change, with no looking back.
A 2010 study sought to compare the efficacy of gradual cessation versus quitting cigarettes "cold turkey" (Hughes, Solomon, Livingston, Callas & Peters). The researchers recruited 746 smokers through newspaper and radio advertising.
The adult participants all smoked at least 15 cigarettes per day (48 percent women, 91 percent Caucasian) and indicated that they wanted to quit within the next 30 days. The participants were willing to use nicotine lozenges and preferred a gradual cessation of smoking rather than stopping the use of cigarettes abruptly. The researchers randomly assigned each participant to either the gradual group (N=297), the abrupt group (N=299), or the minimal treatment group (N=150).
Each participant set a quit day during the first session. The gradual cessation group was mailed nicotine lozenges during the pre-quit period and received periodic calls from a counselor. The gradual group was asked to reduce cigarettes by 25 percent the first week, 50 percent the second week and 75 percent the third week.
The abrupt group was given two calls before the quit day and three calls after. They received lozenges after the quit day, and were instructed not to alter their cigarette use until the quit day. The minimal group was given one call before the quit day and one call and lozenges after the quit day. Participants were encouraged to set a quit date during the first call.
The participants were evaluated for smoking dependence on a Velicer's scale at baseline. At study entry, immediately before the quit day and at a six-month follow-up, a research assistant obtained a breath carbon monoxide level. Participants were also issued follow-up calls at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the quit day to inquire about reduction and non-reduction.
The results of the study revealed that for those smokers who prefer to reduce the number of cigarettes and then quit, the gradual method works similarly to the abrupt method. This is especially true in the time-to-lapse measure and for those who are low self-efficient and report a high smoking dependence.
Because the gradual cessation method is so popular among those wanting to quit, further research is necessary to determine its effectiveness.
