Researchers are looking for volunteer smokers who wish to cut down their smoking for a new study called TARS (Trial of physical Activity and Reduction of Smoking) which is designed to establish the best ways to help reduce smoking.

According to statistics from the health campaign group Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), around 10 million adults in the UK smoke.

Smoking prevalence has declined, yet it still claims approximately 100,000 lives each year.

ASH claims that around two-thirds of current smokers want to reduce smoking but, apart from e-cigarettes, little support is available to help them – even though those who reduce are more likely to make a quit attempt.

In Tooting, researchers are looking to recruit 225 people. Half of the volunteers will receive existing advice on reducing smoking and where to get further support, while the others will receive up to eight face-to-face or phone contacts with a health trainer who will support them to both reduce their smoking and increase their physical activity.

The aim of the study is to investigate whether the Health Trainer support is better at helping people to quit smoking compared with existing support. Participants in the study will receive £40 for completing questionnaires.

People are able to take part if they are over 18 years old, smoke 10 or more cigarettes a day and wish to reduce, but not quit smoking.

Smokers who wish to volunteer should email tars@sgul.ac.uk or call Mary George (research assistant) on 07896 934108.

TARS is led by Professor Michael Ussher and Professor Tess Harris at St George’s, University of London in Tooting. The study is also taking place in Plymouth, Oxford and Nottingham.