K Y Ho1, William H C Li2, M P Wang3, K K W Lam4, T H Lam5, Sophia S C Chan6. 1. School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong. Electronic address: devilbb2@hku.hk. 2. School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong. Electronic address: william3@hku.hk. 3. School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong. Electronic address: mpwang@hku.hk. 4. School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong. Electronic address: kathin@connect.hku.hk. 5. School of Public Health, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong. 6. School of Nursing, The University of Hong Kong, HKSAR, Hong Kong. Electronic address: dieselfrankie@yahoo.com.hk.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of quitting immediately and cutting down to quit in promoting smoking abstinence among smokers in an outpatient clinic. METHODS: A total of 100 subjects were randomized into two groups, 50 in the quit immediately group, who received an intervention on abruptly quitting, and 50 in the cut down to quit group, who received an intervention on gradual reduction. All subjects were followed up at 6 and 12 months via telephone. The intention-to-treat principle was used. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up, the self-reported quit rate of subjects in the quit immediately group was significantly higher than in the cut down to quit group (18.0% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.04). However, this difference was not significant at the 12-month follow-up (12.0% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.16). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that quitting immediately might be more effective than cutting down to quit at 6 months but not at 12 months. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is crucial to allow smokers to select quitting immediately or reducing the number of cigarettes smoked. Further studies are warranted to compare the effectiveness of various approaches for achieving smoking abstinence.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: To compare the effectiveness of quitting immediately and cutting down to quit in promoting smoking abstinence among smokers in an outpatient clinic. METHODS: A total of 100 subjects were randomized into two groups, 50 in the quit immediately group, who received an intervention on abruptly quitting, and 50 in the cut down to quit group, who received an intervention on gradual reduction. All subjects were followed up at 6 and 12 months via telephone. The intention-to-treat principle was used. RESULTS: At the 6-month follow-up, the self-reported quit rate of subjects in the quit immediately group was significantly higher than in the cut down to quit group (18.0% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.04). However, this difference was not significant at the 12-month follow-up (12.0% vs. 4.0%, p = 0.16). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that quitting immediately might be more effective than cutting down to quit at 6 months but not at 12 months. PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: It is crucial to allow smokers to select quitting immediately or reducing the number of cigarettes smoked. Further studies are warranted to compare the effectiveness of various approaches for achieving smoking abstinence.
Authors: Ka Yan Ho; William Ho Cheung Li; Katherine Ka Wai Lam; Man Ping Wang; Wei Xia; Lok Yin Ho; Kathryn Choon Beng Tan; Hubert Kit Man Sin; Elaine Cheung; Maisy Pik Hung Mok; Tai Hing Lam Journal: BMJ Open Date: 2018-12-19 Impact factor: 2.692
Authors: William Ho Cheung Li; Ka Yan Ho; Katherine Ka Wai Lam; Man Ping Wang; Derek Yee Tak Cheung; Laurie Long Kwan Ho; Wei Xia; Tai Hing Lam Journal: BMC Public Health Date: 2019-08-09 Impact factor: 3.295
Authors: William Ho Cheung Li; Ka Yan Ho; Man Ping Wang; Derek Yee Tak Cheung; Katherine Ka Wai Lam; Wei Xia; Kai Yeung Cheung; Carlos King Ho Wong; Sophia Siu Chee Chan; Tai Hing Lam Journal: JAMA Intern Med Date: 2020-02-01 Impact factor: 21.873