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Even smokers who cut their cigarette consumption in half in a bid to improve their health tend to die early, according to researchers who say that only quitting completely will help smokers live longer.

Reuters reported Nov. 28 that researchers found no differences in early deaths from cardiovascular disease between heavy smokers (those smoking 15 cigarettes or more daily) and those who had cut their smoking in half during the 20-year study period. The study authors followed a group of 51,000 Norwegian smokers who were between ages 20-34 when the study began.

"The long-term effects of a substantial reduction in smoking did not show any benefits in comparison with persistent heavy smoking," noted lead researcher Kjell Bjartveit. "In health education and patient counseling, it may give people false expectations to advise that reduction in consumption is associated with reduction in harm."

The study was published in the December 2006 issue of the journal Tobacco Control.

Reference:
Tverdal, A., Bjartveit, K. (2006) Health consequences of reduced daily cigarette consumption. Tobacco Control, 15(6): 472-480; doi: 10.1136/tc.2006.016246.