If smokers switch to low-nicotine cigarettes then they will be smoking less and there are more changes that they will try to quit, finds a new study. The study that continued for six weeks may help expand limitations on nicotine in cigarettes.

As per the researchers, the findings are preliminary. But as per them, it is the first study to find out that by slashing nicotine is beneficial and lead to less smoking. One of the study researchers Dr. Neal Benowitz of the University of California, San Francisco, said that the study supports for lowering nicotine and also said that it is very much feasible.

Smoking is considered to be the leading cause of heart disease and cancer. Presence of tar and other substances making smoking hazardous, but it is the nicotine in tobacco that makes it addictive.

In the study, around 800 people were present who have smoked five or more cigarettes a day. They were either asked to smoke their usual brand or an experimental type having nicotine level ranging from a low of 0.4 milligram to
15.8 milligrams, the level present in most cigarettes.

Participants were asked to report on daily basis about how much they have smoked and also, to make 10 officials visits. Volunteers who have smoked low-nicotine cigarette reported fewer symptoms of nicotine dependence in many smokers' usual brand.

Mitch Zeller, Director of FDA's Center for Tobacco Products, said, "Though all tobacco products are potentially harmful and potentially addictive, different categories of tobacco products may have the potential for varying effects on public health".

"This, I think, provides support" for lowering nicotine, said one study leader, Dr. Neal Benowitz of the University of California, San Francisco.

"What our study shows is that it's feasible," and that people won't smoke more regular cigarettes to compensate, he said.