Tobacco is linked to a range of health problems
Jump to full article: BBC Online, 2006-11-28
Intro: There are no half measures for heavy smokers wanting to minimise the risk that their habit will lead to their early death, research suggests.
Scientists found no evidence that heavy smokers who halve their daily cigarette intake cut their premature death risk.
The long-term Norwegian study, of more than 51,000 men and women aged between 20 and 34, found stubbing out was the only way to cut the risk.
The study is published in the journal Tobacco Control. . . .
"For smokers who are not yet ready to quit but want to cut down, we recommend that they use NRT, otherwise there is a danger that their cigarette consumption will quickly return to previous levels."
Simon Clark, director of the smokers' lobby group Forest, said it was important to take into consideration the fact that many smokers tended to lead a generally unhealthy lifestyle, eating a poor diet, and not taking exercise.
He said: "Unfortunately, campaigners prefer to emphasise the 'quit or die' message, which is a gross exaggeration, but if you are a heavy smoker it is surely better to reduce consumption, combining that with a healthy diet and plenty of exercise, than not cut down at all?"
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