Ta. Shahan et al., Sensitivity of nicotine-containing and de-nicotinized cigarette consumption to alternative non-drug reinforcement: a behavioral economic analysis, BEHAV PHARM, 12(4), 2001, pp. 277-284
A previous report from our laboratory showed similar measures of reinforcin
g efficacy for nicotine-containing and de-nicotinized cigarettes when each
cigarette type was presented alone. The present experiment further compared
the reinforcing efficacy of nicotine-containing and de-nicotinized cigaret
tes by assessing the effects of alternative non-drug reinforcement on self-
administration of both cigarette types. Eight human subjects responded on a
progressive-ratio schedule in which the number of plunger pulls required f
or standardized cigarette puffs increased across sessions. Responding for t
he two types of cigarette was examined when each was available alone and wh
en the concurrent opportunity to earn money was available. Consumption of n
icotine-containing and de-nicotinized cigarettes was decreased by both incr
eases in price and by the concurrent availability of money. The two cigaret
tes types did not differ in their sensitivity to price or alternative non-d
rug reinforcement. These results replicate our previous report of similar m
easures of reinforcing efficacy for the two cigarette types when each was p
resented alone, and extend our previous findings to a choice situation invo
lving an alternative non-drug reinforcer. These data suggest the importance
of further examination of non-pharmacological variables in the maintenance
of drug taking and the sensitivity of drug taking to alternative non-drug
sources of reinforcement. Factors potentially contributing to the maintenan
ce of smoking the de-nicotinized cigarettes (i.e. conditioned reinforcement
, primary reinforcement by respiratory stimulation, instructional control,,
demand characteristics) are also discussed. (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams &
Wilkins.