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Does Use of Nicotine Replacement Therapy While Continuing to Smoke Undermine Cessation?: A Systematic Review

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  16 January 2013

Emma Beard ,
Paul Aveyard ,
Susan Michie ,
Ann McNeill  and
Robert West
Emma Beard*
Affiliation:
Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, WC1E 6BT, UK
Paul Aveyard
Affiliation:
Primary Care Clinical Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
Susan Michie
Affiliation:
University College London Research Department of Clinical, Educational and Health Psychology, University College London, London, UK
Ann McNeill
Affiliation:
UK Centre for Tobacco Control Studies, University of Nottingham, City Hospital, Nottingham, UK
Robert West
Affiliation:
Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, WC1E 6BT, UK
*
Address for correspondence: Emma Beard, PhD, Cancer Research UK Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London, WC1E 6BP. E-mail: [email protected]. Tel: 020 31083179.
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Abstract

Aims: To review population surveys to assess (a) prevalence of the use of NRT for smoking reduction (SR) and temporary abstinence (TA) and (b) how far this is associated with attempts to stop smoking, smoking cessation and reduction in cigarette consumption.

Methods: An electronic search was undertaken of EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science and PsycINFO. Articles were selected if they (1) assessed whether smokers had used or were currently using NRT for SR and/or TA; (2) involved smokers who had not taken part in a harm reduction programme; and (3) assessed prevalence and/or association of SR and/or TA with reductions in cigarette consumption and/or attempts to stop smoking and/or with smoking cessation. Twelve studies met the inclusion criteria and results were extracted independently by two researchers.

Results: Data were available from five countries (US, UK, Canada, Switzerland and Australia). Between 1% and 23% of smokers reported having ever used NRT for smoking reduction and between 2% and 14% during periods of temporary abstinence. Use of NRT for SR and/or TA was associated with little or no reduction in cigarette consumption. There was some evidence that it was positively associated with attempts to stop smoking and smoking cessation.

Conclusion: In smoking populations use of NRT to aid SR and in situations where smoking is not permitted appears to be having little effect on achieving a reduction in cigarette consumption but does not undermine cessation and may promote it.

Keywords

harm reductionsmoking reductiontemporary abstinenceNRT
Type
Review Article
Information
Journal of Smoking Cessation , Volume 8 , Issue 1 , June 2013 , pp. 45 - 56
Copyright
Copyright © The Authors 2013 

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