Topography of sham and real puffing examined using a paced smoking regimen

Topographical patterns of normal puffing on a cigarette may be reflected in the topographical patterns of sham puffing (Morris & Gale, 1994). To test further the possibility of measuring behavior associated with cigarette smoke self-administration without actual smoke intake, we compared sham and real puffing using a paced smoking regimen under different levels of smoke deprivation. Cigarette smokers were instructed to draw and inhale six times on their unlit and then subsequently on their lit cigarette. Intensity, maximum, area and duration of puffs were lower for sham as opposed to real puffing; however, sham and real puffing showed parallel changes in response to deprivation, and significant positive correlations were found between the two puffing conditions for puff intensity, maximum and area. Therefore, we confirmed a similarity of real puffing with puffing under placebo conditions. Discussed was smoking as an automatic motor behavior.