The effects of smoking cessation on food craving

Weight gain is considered a frequent consequence of smoking cessation. Several psychological mechanisms may play an important role in weight gain following smoking cessation. The present investigation examined changes in food craving associated with smoking cessation using psychophysiologic (i.e., salivation), self-report, and behavioral (i.e., ad lib consumption) measures of reactivity to food cues in a prospective design. Although quitters (n = 16) evidenced weight gain (approximately 5 lbs.) at 1 week and 5 weeks post quit date and while control groups of smokers (n = 11) and nonsmokers (n = 16) did not, no support was found for increased craving assessed via self-report or salivation. The quitters did show evidence of increased craving as measured by ad lib consumption, while smokers and nonsmokers did not. However, the failure to find a significant Group by Session interaction limits our ability to make a strong statement concerning between-group differences on ad lib consumption.