Both smoking reduction with nicotine replacement therapy and motivational advice increase future cessation among smokers unmotivated to quit

Abstract

Smokers not currently interested in quitting (N = 616) were randomized to receive telephone-based (a) reduction counseling plus nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) plus brief advice to quit, (b) motivational advice plus brief advice, or (c) no treatment. More smokers in the reduction (43%) and motivational (51%) conditions made a 24-hr quit attempt over 6 months than smokers in the no-treatment condition (16%; p < or = .01), but the 2 active conditions did not differ (p > or = .05). Similarly, 18%, 23%, and 4% of each condition were abstinent (7-day point prevalence) at 6 months (p < or = .01). Results indicate smoking reduction using NRT does not undermine cessation but rather increases the likelihood of quitting to a degree similar to motivational advice.