January 12, 2012   Right now, the general guidelines for doctors say that they should ask smokers about their willingness to quit. Then if the patient seems motivated, the doctor should offer help. But in a new research review, UK investigators found that offering quit help to all smokers seems more effective. Looking at 13 past clinical trials, the researchers found that some smokers at least attempted to quit after getting simple advice from their doctor—namely, that they should kick the habit for the sake of their health. But actual assistance in quitting—either counseling on behavior changes or nicotine replacement therapy—worked better. Based on three studies, the researchers say, such help could prompt an additional 40 percent to 60 percent of smokers to at least try quitting, versus advice alone. And all three of the studies offered help to smokers without first checking their “willingness to quit.”

For More Information:
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/01/11/us-smokers-quit-idUSTRE80A2B820120111