According to a recent publication in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research, scientists from the University of Vermont have revealed that cutting back on the amount of daily cigarettes can lead to eventual smoking cessation. The method of gradual reduction therefore can provide a gentle alternative to quitting smoking “cold turkey”. Before arriving to this finding, the researchers have analysed 19 placebo-controlled clinical trials on smoking cessation and found that cutting back was an effective method of stopping smoking even in patients who were initially unwilling to kick the habit. The best results were shown in the studies where the gradual reduction approach was combined with nicotine replacement therapy.

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The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently published a new report on tobacco-related mortality. The report shows that, despite some positive changes in fighting smoking and tobacco-related illnesses worldwide, implemented measures to control cigarette consumption are still insufficient to fight high levels of smoking-related deaths. WHO has also outlined new recommendations on how to prevent the spread of disease and mortality caused by tobacco consumption. The Organization warns that, unless urgent measures are implemented, cigarettes may kill more than one billion people worldwide by the end of the 21st century.

Read full “New WHO Report Suggests that Smoking-Related Diseases Can Contribute to Death of One Billion People by the Year 2100″

According to the report published by the Associated Press, tobacco corporations intentionally altered the menthol levels in their products depending on their target consumers. If the cigarettes were marketed to younger smokers, the levels of nicotine and menthol in them were reduced; while tobacco products to “hook on” more experienced smokers featured larger quantities of both nicotine and menthol. This information is based on a study conducted by scientists of the Harvard School of Public Health.

Read full “Harvard Research: Menthol-Flavoured Cigarettes Used to Lure Adolescents”

According to CBC News, Canadian scientists are planning to conduct a survey to focus on smoking among pregnant women living on Nunavut territory. The main purpose of the research is to investigate what causes pregnant females to smoke and which measures can be implemented in order to help them quit.

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Although willpower is absolutely necessary to successfully quit smoking, the knowledge on how to incorporate this willpower into your everyday, now smoke-free life is not less important. Tobacco cravings and harsh withdrawal symptoms are hard to overcome, but if you really want to kick your cigarette habit for good you have to learn how to trick the brain’s dependency to the powerful drug nicotine. Often, people who quit smoking “cold turkey” experience strong cigarette craving when they drink coffee or alcohol, perform creative activities, such as writing articles or painting, or go to clubs where they used to smoke in a familiar, supportive environment.

Read full “How to Successfully Kick Nicotine Addiction – Beyond Willpower”