@article{61e9de71b3364687a48dee8ff56bbd3b,
title = "Smoking elimination by gradual reduction",
abstract = "Two methods of gradual reduction in smoking over a 12-week period were compared. The first required subjects to smoke at pre-set random times using a signalling device. The second allowed subjects to smoke at times of their choice using a mechanical counter to self-regulate their daily smoking quota. Each method was tested with and without group meetings. More subjects in the counter groups finished the program; however, groups using the signalling device were more successful in eliminating smoking at the time of a 3-month follow-up. The use of the signalling device was associated with a tendency to reduce the effects of situational cues on smoking, and group meetings seemed to raise morale among participants. The greatest difficulty in further smoking reduction occurred at the 12-14 cigarettes per day level for all groups. It was hypothesized that, despite the decrease in learned cues, further reduction is inhibited by the manifestation of withdrawal symptoms caused by some physiological addiction. These results suggest that a successful smoking elimination program should combine psychological and physiological approaches.",
author = "Levinson, {Brent L.} and David Shapiro and Schwartz, {Gary E.} and Bernard Tursky",
note = "Funding Information: This study was designed to test certain hypotheses derived from learning theory about the elimination of smoking through gradual reductior). Shapiro, Tursky, Schwartz, and Shnidman (1971) found that it was possible for subjects to control their smoking by following an 8-week, gradual reduction program, using a randomly timed signalling device as a substitute for environmental cues to smoke. Sixty per cent of the original experimental sample remained in the program for 8 weeks and achieved a median reduction in smoking of 75%, compared to a 2% median reduction reported for a waiting control group during the same period. At the time of a 6-week follow-up, however, a tendency toward relapse was implicit in the finding that the median reduction for the experimental sample was down to 43~. Using a similar device, Upper and Meredith (1970) found that the experimental sample reduced their smoking to an 1 Supported in part by NIMH Research Scientist Award K5-MH-20,476; NIMH Research Grant MH-08853 and 04172; and Office of Naval Research Contract NOOO14-67-A-0298-0024. Requests for reprints should be sent to Brent Levinson, 23 Mellen St., Cambridge, Mass. 02138. 477",
year = "1971",
month = oct,
doi = "10.1016/S0005-7894(71)80094-1",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "2",
pages = "477--487",
journal = "Behavior Therapy",
issn = "0005-7894",
publisher = "Elsevier Inc.",
number = "4",
}