Maximizing help for dissonant smokers

Authors
Citation
M. Kunze, Maximizing help for dissonant smokers, ADDICTION, 95, 2000, pp. S13-S17
Citations number
21
Language
INGLESE
art.tipo
Article
Categorie Soggetti
Public Health & Health Care Science","Clinical Psycology & Psychiatry
Journal title
ADDICTION
ISSN journal
0965-2140 → ACNP
Volume
95
Year of publication
2000
Supplement
1
Pages
S13 - S17
Database
ISI
SICI code
0965-2140(200001)95:<S13:MHFDS>2.0.ZU;2-8
Abstract
'Consonant' smokers know and accept the risks associated with tobacco consu mption, and do not wish to change their smoking, whereas 'dissonant' smoker s are tobacco consumers whose attitudes differ from their behaviour. Disson ant smokers have several options: to quit smoking (the optimal solution), r educe their smoking, switch products or brands, or do nothing. To dale, nic otine replacement therapy (NRT) is the best-established medical aid to smok ing cessation, but several important factors impact on NRT use. As smokers constitute a diverse group there is a need for various different formulatio ns, some of which will suit certain smokers better than others. Smokers sho uld be allowed to select their preferred products in order to increase comp liance, and should also be permitted to combine various products if desired . Adequate dosage regimens should be stressed in order to avoid under-dosin g, which is common with NRT. It is also essential that the medical system f ocuses increasingly an the diagnosis and treatment of those smokers who are unable or unwilling to quit smoking. Nigh nicotine dependence correlates w ith a high risk of pulmonary and cardiovascular disease; because these smok ers cannot quit, cessation efforts have little impact on the incidence of t obacco-related diseases in this population. Additional smoking control inte rventions, such as smoking reduction therapy, are therefore required to tre at this group. Our experience in Vienna shows that these smokers can be tar geted through approaches that utilize new messages offering alternatives to cessation.