WashingtonD.C. [US], Oct. 26 : A recent research conducted at the University of British Columbia has found that half of the statements made by smokers during counseling sessions that are designed to help them stop, have nothing to do with quitting.

The study, which focused on conversations smoking cessation, also found that the remaining 50 percent of statements that did relate to quitting mostly focused on medical aids such as smoking cessation drugs, nicotine patches or inhalers.

Researcher Heather Gainforth said, "These findings may indicate that people trying to quit need time to talk about a variety of topics to feel comfortable talking with their practitioner about smoking. It also highlights the importance of providing smokers with the opportunity to receive counselling about pharmaceutical aids that can help them quit."

As part of her study, Gainforth reviewed the transcripts of 15 smoking cessation interviews and coded all 1,429 statements made by smokers during counseling sessions.

The data collected is part of a larger, ongoing study aimed at determining what tools and supports best help smokers quit.

According to a 2012 report from the UK's National Centre for Smoking Cessation and Training, 20 percent of adults in England reported smoking in 2010 and smoked an average of 12.7 cigarettes per day.

In 2010/11 1.5 million hospital admissions (5 per cent) were estimated to be attributable to smoking, up from one million in 1997, and 18 percent of deaths of adults over 35 were estimated to be smoking related.

The study was published in the British Journal of Health Psychology. (ANI)