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  • The 'not-a-puff' rule

    The 'not-a-puff' rule is associated with better outcomes than gradual cessation, in both supported and unsupported quit attempts.

    The 'not-a-puff' rule involves assisting people to stop smoking abruptly, commit to not smoking any further cigarettes after the quit date and also to promise to not taking even a single puff on a cigarette from that day forwards.

    This briefing provides the rationale and the theoretical and empirical evidence behind this clinical intervention.

    Date of last review: March 2025