Switching to ultralow nicotine cigarettes: effects of different tar yields and blocking of olfactory cues

Abstract

Twelve female smokers smoked two of each of three types of cigarettes in three sessions. One cigarette was smoked with and the other one without nose blocking. Total puff volumes increased for ultralow tar/nicotine (tn) cigarettes as compared with habitual regular tar/nicotine (TN) cigarettes and regular tar/ultralow nicotine (Tn) cigarettes, as the result of an increase in the number of puffs. TN and tn, but not Tn cigarettes changed heart rate and beta-power in the electroencephalogram; all three reduced craving, although they differed considerably in subjective acceptance. Blocking of olfactory cues influenced respiration and reduced the average puff volumes, taste, and enjoyment, but it did not differentially affect any parameters among the TN, tn, and Tn cigarettes, which suggests that olfaction plays a minor role in regulating puffing behavior. It was concluded that as compared with regular TN cigarettes, only the tn, but not the Tn cigarettes were oversmoked by about 35%, and that Tn cigarettes might be useful for assessing nonnicotinic factors in cigarette smoking.