Smoker reactivity to cues: Effects on craving and on smoking behavior.

Abstract

We assessed craving and smoking in response to smoking-relevant cues. 207 daily smokers viewed images related to one of six cue sets (cigarettes, positive and negative affect, alcohol, smoking prohibitions, and neutral cues) in separate sessions. Compared to neutral cues, cigarette cues significantly increased craving, and positive affect cues significantly decreased craving. When subjects were then allowed to smoke during continuing cue exposure, cues did not affect the likelihood of smoking or the amount smoked (number of cigarettes, number of puffs, puff time, or increased carbon monoxide). However, craving intensity predicted likelihood of smoking, latency to smoke, and amount smoked, with craving increases after cue exposure making significant independent contributions. Some craving effects were curvilinear, suggesting that they are subject to thresholds and might not be observed under some circumstances.

Parsing peak provoked craving

“…This has the dual benefit of being parsimonious and also consistent with the data showing that craving intensity is related to outcomes such as smoking and dependence, regardless of source [3,4]. While the proposition that craving intensity matters may seem trivial, we should remember that some authors [5] have suggested that craving is epiphenomenal and perhaps unimportant, so the proposition is not trivial.…”

“…Laboratory assessments cannot capture this. Moreover, the perceived availability of cigarettes is known to modulate craving and response to various laboratory challenges and tasks [4]. It is plausible that there will be considerable variability in perceived availability across participants within a laboratory study; for example, if it is not clear how long the session will last or whether they will be allowed to smoke within a certain time-frame.…”

Smoking cue reactivity in current smokers, former smokers and never smokers

“…Ferguson & Shiffman, 2009), with smoking related cues being associated with increases in both craving (e.g. Schlagintweit, Good, & Barrett, 2014;Shiffman et al, 2012;Tong, Bovbjerg, & Erblich, 2007) and cardiac responses (e.g. Garcia-Rodriguez, Weidberg, Gutiérrez-Maldonado, & Secades-Villa, 2013;Jenks & Higgs, 2011) as well as with relapse to smoking among those attempting to quit smoking (Cox, Tiffany, & Christen, 2001;Ferguson & Shiffman, 2009).…”

Video-assisted topographical measurement of cigarette smoking: Exploration of an objective approach to evaluate nicotine dependence

“…intercept, speed change rate). Many prior studies assessed smoking topography [29][30][31] , including videotaping of a single cigarette 32 . However, our study is the first to explore the utility of smoking topography in assessing nicotine dependence with an advanced modeling approach.…”