Smoking reduction for smokers not able or motivated to quit?

Smoking reduction, i.e. a sustained decrease in the number of cigarettes smoked daily, is a highly controversial area. Results from population studies are reported as well as from the few randomized controlled studies published. The effect with regard to smoking reduction seems small and there is only limited evidence that smoking reduction is followed by improvement in some health-related parameters. More biomarkers of smoking reduction need to be examined specially with regard to carcinogenic biomarkers. Smoking reduction seems to be of interest for smokers not motivated or able to quit, as a small percent of this group quit smoking during reduction trials. Further research is needed to evaluate the value of this concept. However, smoking cessation is still the ultimate goal. Copyright 2002 S. Karger AG, Basel