Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 2, 2026
Chronic Intermittent Ethanol Vapor Exposure Paired with Two-Bottle Choice to Model Alcohol Use Disorder
Published on: June 23, 2023
Changes in Alcohol Consumption During a Stop-Smoking Attempt and Differences Between Smokers Using Nicotine
Dunja Przulj1, Peter Hajek1, Sarah Snuggs1
1Health and Lifestyle Research Unit, Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom.
Introduction:
Little is known about effects of smoking cessation on alcohol consumption. Varenicline reduces enjoyment of smoking and cigarette consumption and may also reduce enjoyment and consumption of alcohol. We conducted the first prospective examination of the effects of stopping smoking on alcohol enjoyment and consumption and compared clients using varenicline and nicotine replacement treatment (NRT).
Methods:
Audit of records from clients undergoing routine smoking cessation treatment in three stop-smoking services in London, United Kingdom. The sample comprised smokers who consume alcohol and underwent smoking cessation treatment with either varenicline (N = 230) or NRT (N = 62). Alcohol enjoyment and consumption were reported before and on the target quit day (TQD) and 1 and 4 weeks post-TQD.
Results:
Participants reduced their alcohol consumption in week 1 of their quit attempt (15.0-12.7 units per/week, p = .001).In heavy drinkers, the change remained significant at 4 weeks (32.2-24.8 units per/week, p = .004). The type of medication used had no significant impact on the change. Smokers treated with varenicline versus NRT were more likely to report reduced enjoyment of alcohol on TQD (20% vs. 10%, respectively, p < .001) and at 4 weeks post-TQD (20% vs. 6%, respectively, p = .014). Results were similar for abstainers and those who did not manage to stop smoking.
Conclusion:
Making a stop-smoking attempt is accompanied by a reduction in drinking. The finding has implications for policies concerned with effects of stopping smoking on alcohol use. Varenicline may affect enjoyment of drinking, but its potential to alter drinking behavior is small.
Implications:
The finding that smokers making a quit attempt reduce their alcohol consumption has practical implications for treatment providers who are concerned about the possible effects of smoking cessation on alcohol drinking. Although varenicline may reduce alcohol enjoyment compared to NRT, it does not appear to have a significant impact on alcohol consumption.
More Related Videos
09:30A Microcontroller Operated Device for the Generation of Liquid Extracts from Conventional Cigarette Smoke and Electronic Cigarette Aerosol
Published on: January 18, 2018
10:44Comparing the Effects of Electronic Cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke in a Novel In Vivo Exposure System
Published on: May 24, 2017
Related Concept Videos
01:27CNS Depressants: Alcohol and Nicotine
01:23Drugs Acting on Autonomic Ganglia: Stimulants
Ganglionic stimulants activate NM nicotinic receptors in autonomic ganglia, falling into two categories: nicotine mimetics [e.g., lobeline, dimethylpiperazine, tetramethylammonium] and muscarinic receptor agonists [e.g., muscarine, methacholine]. The first category's action is rapid and blocked by nicotinic receptor antagonists, while the second category's action is delayed and blocked by atropine-like agents. Nicotine, an alkaloid, affects the heart rate by stimulating...
01:29Stimulants
Cocaine can be administered via snorting, injection, or smoking. It primarily functions by blocking the reuptake of dopamine, resulting in a euphoric high characterized by an intense sensation of happiness and...
01:17Drug Dependence
01:24Substance Use Disorders Affecting Sleep
Understanding the concepts of physical dependence,...