Comparison of Craving Between Smoked and Smokeless Tobacco Across a Variety of Cue Exposures

Smokeless tobacco use is a major health issue but has received less attention in craving research. The present non-funded study aimed to assess craving associated with smokeless tobacco compared to smoked forms. Forty-eight nicotine dependent male subjects attending a deaddiction center in India were recruited. The subjects were exposed to six nicotine related and two control cues in random order for variable time durations. The urge to consume the tobacco product was rated. Tobacco-related cues produced different patterns and degrees of craving among users of smoked and smokeless tobacco. This has implications for management and drug development.