A study by Tel Aviv University's Department of Psychology shows that psychosocial element of smoking influences craving for cigarettes more than physiological effects of nicotine, reports News-Medical.Net.

In the new study published in the Journal of Abnormal Psychology, Dr. Reuven Dar of Tel Aviv University's Department of Psychology found that the intensity of cravings for cigarettes arise from habit, and not addiction. This may be the reason why nicotine patches and gum are often ineffective in curbing smoking.
In a study conducted on flight attendants, the team found that craving levels at the end of each short flight were much higher those at the end of the long flight, demonstrating that cravings increased in anticipation of the flight landing, whatever the flight's total duration.
"These findings might not be popular with advocates of the nicotine addiction theory, because they undermine the physiological role of nicotine and emphasize mind over matter when it comes to smoking," Dr. Dar says. He hopes this research will help clinicians and health authorities develop more successful smoking cessation programs than those utilizing expensive nicotine patches or gum. (pi)