Going Cold Turkey Could Help Smokers Kick Habit for Good

By Jonathan Springston, Associate Managing Editor, AHC Media

Those who quit smoking immediately are more likely to stay away from cigarettes long term rather than those who quit gradually, according to new research.

A group of British researchers divided about 700 adult smokers into two groups. One group quit smoking immediately, while the second group cut down to zero cigarettes over the course of two weeks. After six months, researchers found those who quit abruptly were more likely to remain non-smokers than those who quit gradually.

Of particular importance, this study differed from other similar smoking cessation studies in one crucial way: all participants received two forms of nicotine replacement therapy, along with talk therapy with a nurse before and after quit day. Other studies that didn’t offer replacement therapy found almost all participants returned to cigarettes.

Researchers believe this latest study will provide doctors the information they need to help patients who are truly ready to quit smoking forever.

There are myriad reasons to stop smoking, but some health benefits are less obvious than others. In the March issue of Clinical Briefs in Primary Care, author Louis Kuritzky, MD, examined a study that found a correlation between smoking and low back pain.

“Current smokers were more than 60% more likely to experience any radicular back pain, and 35% more likely to incur sciatica. Similarly, the odds ratio for back pain-related hospitalization or surgery was elevated to 1.45.”