Smokers told to inhale less

Smokers who struggle to quit should inhale less or stop during set points of the day, such as at work, an official NHS body is suggesting

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) believes for hardcore smokers the approach will act as a stepping stone to quitting.

Traditionally the NHS has focused on advising smokers to give up completely.

But this proposal, which covers England, is an acknowledgement that for some a softer approach is needed.

Smoking rates dropped dramatically from the 1950s - when the link with lung cancer was proved beyond all doubt - to the turn of the century.

But over the past decade they have remained stubbornly stuck above the 20% mark.

Research shows that two-thirds of smokers want to quit and so this guidance is an attempt to reach out to those who are struggling.

It still makes clear that giving up completely is the best option and it even acknowledges it is questionable how big the health effect of smoking less will be.