Relationship between negative affect and smoking topography in heavy drinking smokers

Area of Science:

• Behavioral Science
• Addiction Research
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Heavy drinking smokers are a subgroup with heightened smoking urges due to nicotine deprivation and alcohol consumption.
• Smoking topography, an index of smoking intensity, is influenced by affect but not well-studied in heavy drinking smokers.
• Understanding how affect impacts smoking behavior is crucial for developing effective cessation strategies for this population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate how affect and nicotine deprivation predict smoking behavior in heavy drinking smokers.
• To examine the effects of alcohol priming on smoking topography and its relationship with negative affect.

Main Methods:

• Twenty-seven heavy drinking smokers underwent 12-hour nicotine abstinence and received an alcohol priming dose (target BrAC=0.06g/dl).
• Smoking topography (puff volume, velocity, duration, inter-puff interval) was measured using a specialized device.
• Nicotine deprivation and mood states were assessed using the Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS) and Profile of Mood States (POMS).

Main Results:

• Post-priming negative affect significantly moderated smoking topography over the course of a cigarette.
• Individuals with greater negative affect exhibited flatter trajectories for puff volume and duration.
• Increased negative affect was associated with longer inter-puff intervals, suggesting altered smoking patterns.

Conclusions:

• Negative affect, influenced by nicotine deprivation and alcohol, alters smoking patterns and potentially increases nicotine exposure per cigarette.
• These findings highlight the complex interplay between affect, nicotine, and alcohol in modulating smoking behavior.
• Further research is needed to explore varying levels of nicotine deprivation and their impact on alcohol's effects on smoking.