Alcohol consumption linked to smoking urge

18/04/05 Numerous studies have shown an association between cigarette smoking and alcohol drinking. Although cigarette craving is thought to be a factor involved in alcohol/smoking behaviors, there is limited research on alcohol's effects on smoking urge. Research published in the April issue of Alcoholism: Clinical & Experimental Research has found that alcohol can cause a dose-dependent increase in smoking urge, even among light smokers.

Researchers recruited 16 ( 11 males, 5 females ) non-alcoholic, heavy social drinkers with light smoking backgrounds through local advertisements. Each participant was tested individually in three separate sessions where he or she received a placebo ( with an alcohol taste ), a low-dose ( 0.4 g/kg ), or a high-dose ( 0.8 g/kg ) alcoholic beverage in random order. Subjects were not allowed to smoke two hours prior to and during each session. A questionnaire was used to assess urge to smoke for both positive and negative reinforcing effects, and was given at baseline and during rising and declining portions of the blood alcohol curve ( BAC ).

Results support an alcohol dose-dependent increase in smoking urge in cigarette-deprived light smokers.

"Smoking urge ratings were higher after consuming four versus two alcohol drinks, and increases were not observed after consuming a placebo beverage," said King. "These findings were observed in a nonsmoking environment, which may indicate that alcohol directly produced these effects and they were not due to direct smoking cues triggering cigarette craving. In other words," she added, "the greater the alcohol consumption, the greater the urge to smoke."

Smoking urge increases occurred during the rising limb of the BAC and were maintained throughout the declining limb.

Furthermore, the findings appear to indicate that alcohol drinking can trigger a desire to smoke even in a nonsmoking environment.