Smoking & Benefits of Reduction?

I recently came across an Israeli study that studied the effects of smoking cessation AND reduction in survivors of acute MI (myocardial infarction-acute heart attack). The focus was on long-term mortality in 1581 patients. Both genders were studied, the mean age of the patients was 54, 19% of those studied were women.

Participants in the study had their first cardiac event between 1992 and 1993 and were followed for more than 10 years. At baseline, 123 participants had never smoked, 70 were former smokers, and 234 were current smokers.

Results of the study indicated that of those that were persistent smokers, but noted to reduce at least 5 cigarettes daily status post MI, there was an associated 18% decline in mortality risk.

Although this was considered a "young" cohort of first time MI patients, it did reinforce a significant benefit smoking cessation, but more surprisingly, the benefit of moderate reduction in smoking.

For many smokers plagued with the challenges of quitting, these benefits of smoking reduction are at least a positive step toward encouraging smokers to make initial "first steps".

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues" Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865)

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