Effect of non-nicotinic moist snuff replacement and lobeline on withdrawal symptoms during 48-h smokeless tobacco deprivation

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of two herbal components (BACCOFF and DIPSTOP) of a commercially available smokeless tobacco treatment program for reducing subjective withdrawal symptoms during deprivation. One component, BACCOFF, is a non-nicotinic chew. The second component, DIPSTOP, is a liquid containing the alkaloid lobeline, which to some extent mimics peripheral nicotinic effects. All participants (N = 22 males) were placed in four conditions: BACCOFF + DIPSTOP, BACCOFF + placebo control, DIPSTOP, and placebo control only. The conditions involved 48 h of deprivation, and subjects were exposed to one condition per week for 4 weeks. Withdrawal measures were taken at baseline, 24 h, and 48 h of deprivation. Individuals were randomly assigned, and conditions were counterbalanced. Results showed that BACCOFF, as compared with DIPSTOP, significantly reduced withdrawal symptoms but not craving. These data suggest that behavioral/sensory substitutes' influence on withdrawal might be routed through the product's ability to approximate the preferred moist snuff.