DISSOCIATING THE NICOTINE AND AIRWAY SENSORY EFFECTS OF SMOKING

This study examined the subjective and cardiovascular effects of two o f the components of cigarette smoking when given separately: nicotine and airway sensations. Using a within-subjects design, six healthy vol unteer smokers, age 18-45 years, who smoked at least 20 cigarettes per day were given six conditions in a randomized, counterbalanced order. The effects of IV nicotine, IV saline, and denicotinized cigarettes w ere compared to a standard 1-mg cigarette. The standard cigarette prod uced more of a calming effect and more irritability reduction than eit her the nicotine or airway sensations alone. The denicotinized cigaret te was similar to the standard cigarette condition, except the cigaret te condition was associated with higher feelings of ''exhilaration.'' Many of the positive subjective effects from a denicotinized cigarette were comparable to that of a standard cigarette. These data support t he hypothesis that replacement of the sensory cues of smoking with ''a irway sensory replacement'' may be useful for smoking cessation.