THE EFFECT OF CAFFEINE ON CUE EXPOSURE RESPONSES IN EX-SMOKERS

The responses of ex-smokers to an experimental cue exposure trial, and the effect of caffeine on these responses, were compared with those o f a matched group of control subjects in a placebo controlled single-b lind cross-over design. In contrast to placebo, caffeine protected the ex-smokers from a surge of anxiety and rise in blood pressure associa ted with exposure to smoking-related cues. Caffeine had no significant effects on the control group at this dose (equivalent to a single cup of strong coffee). The results are discussed with reference to Stewar t's conditioned appetitive motivational model of addiction. It is sugg ested that further work may identify caffeine as an adjunct to smoking relapse prevention measures.