Rapid puffing as a treatment component of a community smoking program

Twenty-six persons participated in a community smoking program, which required a $40 contribution to the sponsoring health organization and a $25 refundable deposit. Clients were assigned to one of two treatment groups; one involved group discussion and rapid puffing, and the other involved group discussion only. The number of cigarettes smoked before treatment and one week, two months, and five months after treatment were determined for each client. Smoking decreased substantially following treatment in both groups and did not differ significantly between the groups across the follow-up periods. Females, however, showed significantly greater relapse in smoking following treatment than did males. Overall, approximately 15% of the clients in each group were abstinent five months after treatment.