Tobacco harm reduction strategies: The case for physical activity

Abstract

Since the effects of tobacco smoke are so detrimental to health, growing consideration has been given to the development of harm reduction strategies for those smokers who are unable or unwilling to stop using tobacco. The term harm reduction refers to a policy, strategy, or particular intervention that assumes continued use of an undesired behavior and aspires to lower the risk of adverse consequences associated with the continuation of this addictive behavior. Up to this point, tobacco harm reduction interventions have focused on reducing tobacco-related harm through the utilization of innovative tobacco products, reduced tobacco consumption, and pharmaceutical medications. With the possible exception of medicinal nicotine products, these strategies remain unproven and thus far no scientific or medical literature exists to suggest these harm reduction strategies reduce tobacco-related exposure, morbidity, or mortality. Consequently, a need exists for broadening the range of potentially effective harm reduction strategies. This preliminary review suggests that physical activity has the potential to become one such strategy. Of the eight principles that characterize a harm reduction strategy, all are at least partially satisfied by physical activity. Further, emerging evidence indicates that physical activity may delay the occurrence of disease and premature death initiated by tobacco consumption. Significant concerns remain regarding the practicality of physical activity as a harm reduction strategy and the extent to which participation in physical activity may be used to justify continued smoking.

Youth smokers’ beliefs about different cessation approaches: are we providing cessation interventions they never intend to use?

“…It is also important to consider how behavioral characteristics are associated with interest in school-based programing [12,13]. Evidence exists to suggest a possible link between interest in cessation programming and behaviors such as previous quit attempts [5,14], frequency of smoking [15], and physical activity [16]; these relationships need to be formally examined. Physical activity is especially interesting considering that it is a cost effective intervention already built into the school curriculum, it can be indefinitely sustained as people age with minimal side effects, and it has yet to be examined in relation to school-based cessation programming among youth even though the association between cessation and physical activity has been reported previously [16].…”

“…Evidence exists to suggest a possible link between interest in cessation programming and behaviors such as previous quit attempts [5,14], frequency of smoking [15], and physical activity [16]; these relationships need to be formally examined. Physical activity is especially interesting considering that it is a cost effective intervention already built into the school curriculum, it can be indefinitely sustained as people age with minimal side effects, and it has yet to be examined in relation to school-based cessation programming among youth even though the association between cessation and physical activity has been reported previously [16]. Practitioners would benefit from a better understanding of whether behavioral factors such as physical activity are associated with intentions to use school based cessation programs, since such behaviors could be modified through school-based programs and policy.…”

Work and Non-Work Physical Activity Predict Real-Time Smoking Level and Urges in Young Adults

“…Despite the fact that both non-work PA and work PA often show similar direct health-related benefits, 32 even among smokers, 33 results suggest that indirect associations with PA are highly context dependent. For example, reasons for engaging in PA might play an important role in associated outcomes.…”

Motivational Interviewing for Smoking Cessation and Increase of Physical Activity in Αdults

“…Being a model for their children was a particularly mobilizing motive for some parents (n = 2), who thought that they might influence their children to enter the smoking cessation Only a few participants mentioned exercise (n = 2) and the auxiliary role it may play in the smoking cessation process, although this finding has been confirmed by numerous studies (i.e. Boudreaux et al, 2003;DeRuiter & Faulkner, 2006;Kinnunen, Korhonen, Craft, & Perna, 2010;Lujic, Reuter, & Netter, 2005;Marcus et al, 2003;Paavola et al, 2001;Taylor et al, 2010;Taylor & Katomeri, 2007;Ussher, West, McEwen, Taylor, & Steptoe, 2003).…”