14 DAY TRIAL // Quitting smoking, just like with any addiction, can be a difficult and, most of the times, frustrating process. Given the fact that many smokers find the nicotine-replacement therapy (NRT) helpful, researchers at the University of Birmingham have set out to determine just how successful NRT is in terms of the smokers’ odds of abstaining in the long run, as BMJ informs.
The study included approximately 3,000 smokers from different trials, with one group receiving NRT in the form of inhalers, gums and patches, and the other placebos. The conclusion is that smokers can abstain for longer periods of time from the bad habit, sometimes despite the fact that they have no immediate plans to kick it, the aforementioned medical publication reports.
“6.75% of smokers receiving nicotine replacement therapy attained sustained abstinence for six months, twice the rate of those receiving placebo. All other cessation and reduction outcomes were significantly more likely in smokers given nicotine replacement therapy than those given placebo.” BMJ says, adding that the only side-effect noted has been nausea, which is common in the first days of the nicotine-replacement therapy.
The study, the first of its kind with smokers who do not wish to quit, shows that NRT can be used to help even those who are not aware that they need help or, as the authors put it, “it shows that treating a population of smokers not ready to stop means more of them stop.” Nicotine-assisted reduction to stop programs (NARS) could, therefore, be introduced into the already standing tobacco-control programs, the authors point out.
“Available trials indicate that nicotine replacement therapy is an effective intervention in achieving sustained smoking abstinence for smokers who have no intention or are unable to attempt an abrupt quit.” BMJ tells about the study. At the same time, the authors point out that, of those who manage to abstain from smoking upwards of six months, half are likely to never smoke again in their life.