Habit not addiction that fuels cigarette cravings
by Laura NinehamA recent study has found that it's habit not nicotine that sparks cigarette cravings, according to The Guardian.
The study looked at smokers who worked as flight attendants and assessed the strength of their cravings. It found that cravings were just as strong for short-haul flights as long-haul. Researchers say this suggests that it's the habit of smoking which causes cravings, adding that nicotine replacement therapy may not be the most effective way to break the habit.
In fact, methods which alter behaviour are more likely to help, such as stop smoking hypnotherapy.
The study, conducted by researchers from Tel Aviv University, found that the cigarette cravings related more strongly to how soon the flight attendants expected to be able to smoke, rather than the length of time since their last cigarette.
According to United Press International, study leader Dr Reuvan Dar said in a statement: "These findings might not be popular with advocates of the nicotine addiction theory, because they undermine the physiological role of nicotine and emphasise mind over matter when it comes to smoking."
The findings were published in The Journal of Abnormal Psychology.
According to The Guardian, "if you want to quit smoking, this study shows that planning on how to deal with situations when you usually smoke may be as important as thinking about smoking cessation aids such as nicotine replacement."
Earlier this month a study conducted by the National Family Health Service found that watching movies increases tobacco consumption in men and women by up to 55%. The study, conducted in India, found that smoking on screen had a significant impact on the desire to consume tobacco, but reading newspapers helped lower the likelihood of tobacco consumption among women.
