Anti-Smoking therapies: is harm reduction a viable alternative to smoking cessation?
Smoking cessation should be proposed to all smokers by healthcare workers; however, severely dependent smokers are frequently unable or unwilling to quit smoking. For some of them, particularly if they have failed in previous cessation attempts and have smoking-related disorders, a long term reduction of tobacco consumption may be proposed as the 'second best' attitude and may offer a perspective for reduction of some of the risk factors associated with smoking. This attitude, which cannot be regarded as a general health policy, usually requires the prolonged use of nicotine replacement therapy. From available studies, it does not seem that a period of sustained smoking reduction decreases the chance of future cessation, it may even increase it.
Zellweger
J P
JP
University Medical Policlinic, Lausanne, Switzerland. Jean-Pierre.Zellweger@hospvd.ch
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006282:Health Personnel; D006291:Health Policy; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011634:Public Health; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D019460:Tobacco Industry
D005731:Ganglionic Stimulants; D009538:Nicotine