Nicotine-Free Cigarette Helps Some Smokers
Study Examines Craving For Nicotine
UPDATED: 11:48 am CDT April 24,
2002
Nicotine is the drug that makes cigarettes addictive. But smokers trying to quit will tell you that even the ritual of lighting up and inhaling can be addictive.
But there is a new approach to kicking the habit that addresses that part of the problem -- a nicotine-free cigarette.During breaks at work, Mattie Williams said that she now reaches for a snack instead of a cigarette pack."I never, you know, ate snacks or anything. I just used my break to smoke," Williams said.Williams said that she smoked for 13 years. She said that the stress of her two jobs fueled the fire."Right before I decided to quit, I was smoking almost two packs a day," Williams said.Trying to quit cold turkey didn't work for Williams."I found myself pacing the floor. If I didn't have any (cigarettes) at home, I would be looking around to see if I left one in the ashtray or something," Williams said.Williams enrolled in a study to compare the habit of smoking to the craving for nicotine. Participants smoked nicotine-free cigarettes. The studies showed the urge to light up can be stronger than the need for a nicotine fix."Most people think of craving and addiction as a craving for the drug effect per se, but it's really a craving for the whole behavior, especially with something like cigarette smoking that presents a rich context of sensory cues and habit components," researcher Jed Rose said.Researchers said that when used with traditional nicotine replacement therapies, like patches and gum, nicotine-free cigarettes could help smokers quit for good.The nicotine-free cigarettes are not the same as the so-called ultra-light cigarettes on the market. Those can still deliver high doses of nicotine.The cigarettes used in the study were made with genetically modified tobacco that had no nicotine.More Information:
Jed Rose, Ph. D.
Nicotine Research Program
2200 W. Main Street
Suite B-150
Durham, NC 27705
| Video |
Jed Rose, Ph. D.
Nicotine Research Program
2200 W. Main Street
Suite B-150
Durham, NC 27705
Copyright 2006 by Ivanhoe Broadcast News and Click2Houston.com. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A Houston Fire Department captain asked for the public's help finding the man suspected of killing his daughter, KPRC Local 2 reports.
Texas license plates have a new look and another character, KPRC Local 2 reports.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi shuts the door to a resolution honoring Michael Jackson because debate on the symbolic measure could raise "contrary views" about the pop
star's life.
A baby boy comes into the world on a rare, twice-a-century alignment -- 12:34:56 on 07/08/09.
July 8, 2009: A bar that's had its liquor license pulled and where police have looked for sex trafficking victims is raided, KPRC Local 2 Investigates reports.
July 8, 2009: The driver of the car that plunged into a flooded ditch in north Houston, killing five children, is indicted in the case, as the mother of two of the victims forgives him. Phil Archer reports.
July 8, 2009: Detectives believe a group of thieves has been breaking into homes and stealing thousands of dollars worth of jewelry. Elizabeth Scarborough reports.
July 8, 2009: Several law enforcement agencies in Montgomery County have seen a rash of purse snatchings. Three people have been arrested. Ryan Korsgard reports.
Here are your Anthony's Weather Quiz answers!
KPRC Local 2 is helping law enforcement agencies put wanted criminals behind bars. Check out the fugitives featured on the Wheel of Justice.
We take a look at Forbes Magazine's list of the top ten hot billionaire heiresses.
The latest edition of the Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary adds about 100 new words.
Email Alerts
RSS News Feeds
Mobile
Live Streams
Slideshows
Video
Search
