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Updated: Aug 6, 2026

Comparing the Effects of Electronic Cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke in a Novel In Vivo Exposure System
Published on: May 24, 2017
Effects of cigarette smoking on learning and retention
Abstract:
Verbal rote learning was studied on 10 habitual smokers in a smoking and non-smoking session. Smoking induced a significant decrease in the number of correct responses on the learning task as compared to non-smoking values. The imparied learning coincided in time by an increased arousal as measured by heart rate. A test of recall 45 min after the end of the learning period, when the pre-smoking arousal level had been restored, showed that retention was better in the smoking condition than in the non-smoking condition. The results were interpreted in terms of Walker's theory (1958) postulating a relationship between arousal level and consolidation of memory.
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