Those quitting smoking shouldn't suppress thoughts, says survey
by Sarah HowardBlocking out all thoughts of smoking is not an effective way to quit the habit in the long-term, according to a new study.
Researchers from the University of London studied 85 smokers who smoked more than 10 cigarettes a day. The participants were split into 3 groups, the first was asked to suppress thoughts of smoking entirely, whilst the second group were told to actively talk about their habit. The third group was a control and changed nothing about their quitting strategy.
The study found that the group who suppressed their thoughts smoked less cigarettes at the beginning of the research, but by week three they were on average, smoking three more cigarettes per day than those who were open about their habit.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Dr Erskine, co-author of the study, said: ''These findings have obvious implications for individuals seeking to give up certain behaviours, for example, smoking, overeating, drinking, sex and other excessive behaviours.''
''If trying to avoid thoughts of something in an attempt to give it up actually unwittingly triggers a subsequent increase, it's a poor method of self control. This work may stop people using quitting techniques that are ultimately harmful.''
With suppression reported to be a poor technique for quitting smoking, people are turning to nicotine replacement therapy, combined with treatments such as stop smoking hypnosis to combat the habit for the long-term. With record numbers of people giving up smoking in 2009-10, according to NHS figures cited in the Nursing Times, now seems an appropriate time to bite the bullet and kick the habit.
