Effects of habitual use as a reason for smoking on the desire to smoke under stressful conditions

Abstract

The contribution of habit as a reason for smoking under stressful conditions was investigated. In Study 1, the reasons for smoking including “Reduction of negative affect,” “Elevation and stimulation,” “Habitual use,” “Pleasurable relaxation,” and “Sensory motor manipulation” that influenced nicotine dependence were investigated. Results of a multiple regression analysis of data from 117 smokers suggested that the Habitual use factor had a significant influence on nicotine dependence. In Study 2, the influenced of the “Habitual use” factor on the desires to smoke under stressful conditions was investigated. Data of frequent habitual smokers (n=11) and less frequent habitual smokers (n=11) indicated that Habitual use did not influence the desire to smoke, or induce smoking for coping with stress, whereas the desire to smoke increased in stressful compared to neutral conditions regardless of the Habitual use scores. These results suggest that high habitual smokers smoke more in responses to stress and other reason than because of habit.