Rapid smoking,cue exposure and support in the modification of smoking

Forty-nine dependent smokers were assigned to one of three treatment conditions: rapid smoking, cue exposure or simple support. There were no differences between treatments in the proportion who stopped smoking or the average reduction in smoking at the end of treatment or at 1 yr follow-up. The overall proportion who stopped was 22% at the end of treatment and 14% at 1 yr follow-up. Time of the first cigarette of the day (before tea or coffee) and percentage reduction in consumption whilst trying to cut down unaided, predicted abstinence at 1 yr follow-up. These results do not support claims made for the effectiveness of rapid smoking.