The Effect of Sensorimotor Replacement on Smoking Cessation and Craving

Abstract

Current treatments for smoking cessation such as nicotine replacement therapy or varenicline address the primary reinforcer of smoking (nicotine), but sensorimotor stimuli (e.g. smell/taste of smoke, inhaling/exhaling, airway sensations, holding the cigarette) may act as secondary reinforcers and also contribute to smoking reward. Addressing both these aspects of smoking may help to enhance smoking cessation treatment. The aim of this review was to examine whether sensorimotor replacement can help to alleviate craving and aid smoking cessation. Three sensorimotor replacement products were examined: non-nicotine inhalators/aerosols, de-nicotinised cigarettes and electronic cigarettes. The current research suggests that sensorimotor replacement may enhance the efficacy of nicotine replacement therapy, but is unlikely to be useful if used alone. Electronic cigarettes may be the most promising approach, due to the combination of nicotine delivery and sensorimotor input.

Nicotine patches used in combination with e-cigarettes (with and without nicotine) for smoking cessation: a pragmatic, randomised trial

“…Against this policy background, the prevalence of current e-cigarette use (used at least once a day, week, or month) was low at 3% of adults aged 15 years and older. 14 The case for maintaining the status-quo for access to nicotine-free e-cigarettes was founded on trial evidence that nicotine-free e-cigarettes help reduce cravings to smoke tobacco and increase quitting in some people; 3,4,15 and if a person wanted to use nicotine, they could use medicinal NRT in addition to nicotine-free e-cigarette use. This argument formed the basis of our primary hypothesis, namely NRT (in this case, patches) plus a nicotine e-cigarette would be more effective at helping smokers quit than patches plus a nicotine-free e-cigarette.…”

Effects of sweet flavorings and nicotine on the appeal and sensory properties of e-cigarettes among young adult vapers: Application of a novel methodology

“…Pleasurable sensations associated with the tobacco self-administration procedure (e.g., taste, smells, airway stimulation) play an important role in smoking reinforcement (Przulj et al, 2012). Thus, e-cigarette product features that alter the sensory experience of vaping could impact user appeal.…”

Pharmacological, sensorimotor, and expectancy effects on tobacco withdrawal: a preliminary study

“…Sensorimotor stimulation from smoking VLNC cigarettes (versus no smoking) reduced the urge to smoke over time and suppressed the motivation to initiate and continue smoking preferred brand cigarettes on the smoking lapse analog task. These findings are consistent with past research indicating that smoking denicotinized cigarettes acutely suppresses craving and smoking behavior (Rose et al ., ; Rose et al ., ; Przulj et al ., ; Tidey et al ., ) and extend prior results by essentially duplicating them when holding the expectancy and drug effects constant through experimental manipulation. Sensorimotor stimulation from smoking also had a main effect on overall withdrawal symptoms.…”