Smokers thought these strategies provided more protection against tobacco-related
health problems than nonsmokers or former smokers, according to Keith Haddock,
Ph.D., of the University of Missouri-Kansas City and colleagues.
“Given that quitting smoking can be a difficult process, it is not
surprising that smokers might seek strategies they believe will reduce
their risk while they continue to smoke,” Haddock says.
The study surveyed more than 36,000 U.S. Air Force recruits to basic training
about their smoking habits and beliefs about various ways to reduce smoking
risks. Almost a third of the group were smokers, although they were forced
to quit smoking at least temporarily during basic training.
Most of the recruits surveyed said changes in cigarette
type or lifestyle would either provide no protection or a small amount
of protection against
smoking risk. Nevertheless, a “large proportion” of the recruits
thought these changes could have a significant effect on smoking health
risks, according to the authors.
Although smokers tended to believe more strongly in the protective benefits
of these changes, 40 percent of them said they had not switched cigarette
types or altered their diet and exercise routines. Smokers who thought
their health was most at risk usually switched to low-tar or low-nicotine
cigarette brands.
The recruits were more skeptical about the protective benefits of other
changes, such as switching from cigarettes to smokeless tobacco products.
However, smokers who believed that using smokeless tobacco would lower
their health risks were more likely to quit smoking one year after the
survey.
The study was supported by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute.
