The Role of Compensation in Nicotine Reduction

Nicotine Tob Res. 2019 Dec 23;21(Suppl 1):S16-S18. doi: 10.1093/ntr/ntz120.

Abstract

The available research on switching from normal nicotine to very low nicotine content cigarettes shows minimal evidence of compensatory smoking. Mathematical estimations suggest that substantial compensation after switching to very low nicotine cigarettes would be impossible. It is likely that smokers who are unable to tolerate the extent of proposed nicotine reduction would switch to other sources of nicotine, rather than try to compensate by smoking more very low nicotine content cigarettes more intensely.

MeSH terms

  • Humans
  • Nicotine*
  • Smokers / psychology*
  • Smoking Cessation / psychology*

Substances

  • Nicotine