Resisting tempting foods and smoking behavior: implications from a self-control theory perspective

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Psychology
• Addiction Research
• Self-Control Theory

Background:

• Smokers often attempt to diet concurrently with smoking cessation due to weight gain concerns.
• Clinical guidelines and prior research indicate that combining dieting with smoking cessation may negatively impact quit attempts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of resisting tempting foods on subsequent smoking behavior.
• To test the self-control strength model's prediction that depleted self-regulation increases smoking likelihood.

Main Methods:

• 101 cigarette smokers were randomized to resist eating either sweets or vegetables.
• Participants underwent a 10-minute break, during which smoking behavior was assessed via breath carbon monoxide levels.

Main Results:

• Smokers who resisted sweets were significantly more likely to smoke (53.2%) compared to those who resisted vegetables (34.0%).
• This finding supports the hypothesis that self-control depletion enhances smoking relapse risk.

Conclusions:

• The study validates the self-control strength model in the context of smoking cessation.
• Dietary restraint, by consuming self-control resources, may undermine successful smoking cessation efforts.