Tobacco: The risk of lung cancer decreased in heavy smokers who reduce their consumption by half

A heavy smoker who halved tobacco consumption reduced by about one quarter the risk of lung cancer, according to a study published in the "Journal of the American Medical Association" (JAMA).

Nina Godtfredsen, Institute of Preventive Medicine in Copenhagen, and colleagues conducted a study of 19,714 people surveyed between 1964 and 1993.

During this period, the Danish researchers have counted a total of 864 lung cancers.

After analyzing the results, they found that light smokers (1-15 cigarettes per day) have a reduced risk of 56% of developing cancer compared to heavy smokers risk.

Heavy smokers who reduced their consumption of more than 50%, the average observed by the researchers was 62% - seem to know about them as intermediate risk, 27% lower than that weighs on the heavy smokers who maintained their tobacco consumption.

For people who have completely stopped smoking, the risk reduction was even more significant, reaching 50% for those who left during exams, and 83% for those who had already stopped before.

However, say the authors "the drop in consumption has so far not been linked to a reduced risk of respiratory failure or myocardial infarction," suggesting that it is better to stop smoking completely as only reduce consumption.