Nineteen subjects performed a choice reaction time task in which two l
evels of choice (two and four stimuli), and two levels of spatial atte
ntion (narrow and wide) were manipulated under each of two smoking con
ditions: sham smoking (denicotinised cigarette) or regular smoking (0.
8 mg nicotine cigarette). All three factors significantly affected rea
ction time, with the smallest reaction times being recorded to the two
-choice narrow grouped stimuli recorded under the high nicotine condit
ion. Nicotine appears to speed decision time for both complex and hard
-to-attend tasks, which is compatible with a role for nicotinic recept
ors in systems jointly mediating attention, memory and processing spee
d.