Gradual vs. Abrupt Cessation Treatment for Smoking

Counseling of smokers to undergo gradual reduction in cigarettes per day prior to quit date. This includes 5 counseling calls: 3 calls focused on reduction prior to the quit date, 1 call two days prior to the quit date to discuss common strategies for preparing to quit, and 1 call two days after the quit date to discuss relapse prevention. Telephone counseling also discusses the proper use of nicotine lozenges during reduction and after the quit date.

Counseling of smokers to set a quit date and not change cigarettes per day prior to quit date. This includes 5 counseling calls: 1 to set a quit date, 1 two days prior to the quit date to discuss common strategies for preparing to quit, and 3 after the quit date to discuss relapse prevention. Telephone counseling also discusses the proper use of nicotine lozenges after the quit date.

Minimal counseling to mimic intervention at a primary care office. This includes 2 counseling calls: 1 to set a quit date and 1 two days after the quit date to discuss relapse prevention. Telephone counseling also discusses the proper use of nicotine lozenges after the quit date.

"2 mg lozenges for participants usually smoke their first cigarette more than 30 minutes after awaking.~4 mg lozenge for participants who usually smoke their first cigarette less than 30 minutes after awaking.~Replace each forgone cigarette during reduction with one lozenge. Use additional lozenges to combat cravings to smoke."

"2 mg lozenges for participants usually smoke their first cigarette more than 30 minutes after awaking.~4 mg lozenge for participants who usually smoke their first cigarette less than 30 minutes after awaking.~Replace each forgone cigarette while abstinent with one lozenge. Use additional lozenges to combat cravings to smoke."