Walking as an aid to smoking cessation: a feasibility study in an NHS Stop Smoking Service

The proposed study aims to identify the views of those working in stop smoking services and those attempting to quit smoking regarding the potential role of exercise. This information, coupled with scientific evidence from the exercise and smoking literature will be used to develop an exercise intervention, to be testing in a feasibility study. The results will inform future practice in helping people use exericse while also quitting smoking.

Research suggests that brief low-moderate intensity exercise, such as walking, can be used to regulate withdrawal symptoms and cigarette cravings during temporary smoking abstinence. However, few trials have identified an effect of exercise programmes on rates of smoking abstinence. A reason may be that brief exercise has not been promoted as a coping strategy for reducing the desire to smoke. The proposed will develop and evaluate an exercise component (for inclusion in a standard 6-week smoking cessation clinic), based on scientific research and an initial survey of smoking counsellors and quitters. The outcomes will inform future research trials.