Clinical evaluation of a citric acid inhaler for smoking cessation

In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of a hand-held inhaler as an adjunct to a smoking cessation behavioral program. The inhaler delivered a citric acid aerosol with tobacco smoke flavor. Seventy-four smokers were recruited for a 3-week smoking cessation trial. During the first 12 days of the cessation period, smokers used the citric acid aerosol inhaler instead of a cigarette whenever the urge to smoke occurred. The citric acid inhaler significantly reduced CO levels and enhanced rates of smoking abstinence for those with higher than average (34.2 ppm) baseline end-expired carbon monoxide (CO) levels. Craving for cigarettes and negative affect were also alleviated by the citric acid aerosol. These results suggest that the citric acid aerosol may promote successful smoking reduction or cessation in a subgroup of smokers and relieves withdrawal symptoms such as craving for cigarettes, a symptom difficult to treat with currently available nicotine replacement techniques.