Numerous people try to quit smoking by lowering the number of cigarettes they smoke daily, hoping to achieve zero pieces a day. Researches have shown that more success in leaving this bad habit have those smokers that do this abruptly.
Research Methodology
Scientific elaborate was conducted on a group of seven hundred smokers divided randomly in groups of those supposed to quit gradually during a certain period and those supposed to quit at once. They had their vital data collected daily via a medical professional, usually a nurse. Both groups were given two-week adaptation period before starting quitting.
The group of smokers that wants to quit smoking was given a goal to reduce their cigarette intake on one-quarter from the starting quantity, with substitutes in form of:
- nicotine chewing gums
- nicotine patches
- sprays
- pills
- inhalators
- etc
When the day of quitting would come, they should try to reduce cigarette intake to zero. The abrupt quitters were told to smoke as usual until the day of quitting. On that day they should not smoke cigarettes at all.
Results After One Month
One month after the mentioned day passed two-fifths of the gradual group were not smoking, compared to half of the abrupt group. This was confirmed by way of breath-analyzer. Half a year later, one-sixth of the gradual quitters was still not smoking, while almost a quarter of the abrupt group has not lit a cigarette since quitting, thus quit smoking.
Long-Term Success Rates of Quit Smoking
This shows that rigid attempt brings more success in battling this addiction. Researchers have found that almost third of cigarette quitters try to break the habit by gradually lowering the nicotine intake. These new results lead to conclusion that it is better to decide to immediately and totally stop smoking, than to fool yourself that by lowering the number of smoked cigarettes daily you can reduce their intake to zero leading healthy lifestyle.