Working Paper by Phillips, Nissen, and Rodu - Understanding the evidence about the comparative success of smoking cessation methods

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JustJulie

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Phillips, Nissen, and Rodu have shared a working copy of their paper entitled, "Understanding the evidence about the comparative success of smoking cessation methods: choice, second-order preferences, tobacco harm reduction, and other neglected considerations."

Abstract: The extensive literature on methods people use to quit smoking is almost always interpreted in naïve and unhelpful ways. This is partially due to treating smoking cessation as if it were medical disease treatment, despite the fundamental differences. The main problem, however, seems to be a failure to recognize what it means when someone indicates they want to quit smoking. An understanding of the preferences that motivate smoking and cessation allows us to categorize would-be quitters, particularly identifying the difference between first- and second-order preferences for quitting. This demonstrates the absurdity of attempts to determine what cessation method is “best” or even “better”, as well as explaining the frequent failure of medical interventions. This analysis offers advice for both readers of the research and those who wish to quit smoking.

We believe this is a very important paper. Catherine and I have been mulling over the crux of it for literally five years and the three of us have been working on this version of it for about a year. It potentially explains a lot about why smoking cessation efforts are generally failures and smoking cessation policies are even worse. If this were taken seriously, it could really make a big difference.

En passant, the analysis has some other interesting implications. It shows that NRTs are not nearly the failure they appear to be — so long as you properly understand what is reasonable to ask of them. (I gave a talk on this material emphasizing that point to a pharma industry associated audience last week; slides are here if you are interested. Note that this does not include all the key points from the working paper.) Similarly, the analysis points out other disconnects between what happens in practice versus what happens in experimental models or other research.

Comments welcome, either here in the comments section or via email or other media.


For a link to download the paper: Working Paper: Phillips-Nissen-Rodu, Understanding the evidence about the comparative success of smoking cessation methods: choice, second-order preferences, tobacco harm reduction, and other neglected considerations | EP-ology


There's also a good discussion on the paper occurring on another thread, and those who are interested are encouraged to join the conversation:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...king-paper-philips-nissen-rodu-must-read.html
 
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