Reducing Craving for Cigarettes While Decreasing Smoke Intake Using Capsaicin-Enhanced Low Tar Cigarettes

The effects on smoking behavior and subjective evaluation of adding capsaicin (a pungent principle of chili pepper) to a low tar and nicotine cigarette were studied in 12 cigarette smokers. In a 4-hr session, Ss inhaled smoke from 3 types of cigarettes: (a) low tar and nicotine cigarettes with capsaicin added; (b) low tar and nicotine cigarettes without capsaicin (control); and (c) commercial high tar and nicotine cigarettes. Ss puffed significantly less on the capsaicin cigarettes than on the other 2 types of cigarettes and reported greater reduction in cigarette craving after smoking capsaicin cigarettes than after smoking control low nicotine cigarettes. Estimated nicotine intake and respiratory tract sensations for the capsaicin cigarettes were also significantly higher than for the control cigarettes. These results support the view that respiratory tract sensations are important in reducing smokers' craving for cigarettes and modulating smoking behavior.