Studies Suggest Smoking Addiction is Nothing More than a Habit

Much of the accusations thrown at the tobacco companies over the last 15 years has been the result of identifying the role that nicotine plays in addiction. Tobacco manufacturers have been accused of knowing the addictive properties of nicotine and adding it to their tobacco products in order to drive addiction, which would drive consumption.

A recent Science Daily release examines a study that suggests perhaps the problem is not as much the nicotine as it is the habit of smoking. This study was conducted by the Tel Aviv University and points to the ineffectiveness of nicotine patches and gum in fighting the addiction to tobacco and nicotine.

The findings from this study suggest that psychologically-based smoking cessation programs may be more successful when this habit-based addiction exists. In fact, researchers suggest that the cravings for cigarettes are so intense because of a psychological element, rather than any addictive chemical addiction to nicotine.

The results of this study actually undermine the assumed physiological role of nicotine and actually suggest that it is more a focus of mind over matter. Researchers also suggest that smoking cessation programs may be more successful if the physical impact is better understood.

Two different studies examined this phenomenon and researchers concluded that nicotine is not actually addictive, according to the definition of normal physiological addictions. The substance does play a role in increasing cognitive abilities, including attention and memory, but is not a true addictive substance as it does not create the true systemic and biologically-based withdrawal symptoms such as those created by heroin.