Differences between smokers and never-smokers in sensitivity to nicotine: a preliminary report

Sensitivity to nicotine was explored using test doses administered via intra-nasal aerosol in 10 smokers and 10 never-smokers. Smokers received 1.50 mg nicotine (in 2 sprays, < 5 seconds apart, one spray per nostril); never-smokers received either 0.50 mg (n = 3) or 0.25 mg (n = 7) nicotine. Accumulation of nicotine in plasma, per unit dose administered, was nearly four times greater in never-smokers than in smokers, indicating differences in pharmacokinetic tolerance. To examine sensitivity to nicotine without this confound, peak physiological reactivity (heart rate and blood pressure changes) was divided by peak plasma nicotine increment and the ratio was expressed as a function of cotinine level prior to dosing, thereby relating sensitivity to nicotine to history of exposure. In smokers, functional sensitivity to nicotine was inversely related to customary nicotine intake, replicating previous findings for light and heavy smokers. The observation that never-smokers were not much more sensitive to nicotine than light smokers is notable given the disparity in previous history of exposure.