Biomaterial Database

Nicotine and cigarette smoking: an alternative hypothesis. 1985

A T Chamberlain, and T W Higenbottam

A new hypothesis is presented to explain some aspects of human smoking behaviour. While acknowledging the importance of the nicotine self-titration phenomenon, changes in puffing intensity during the smoking of a single cigarette are related not to the control of nicotine uptake but to the modification of cigarette smoke composition prior to inhalation. It is suggested that nicotine, in addition to its central effects, has the local action of reducing the acute airway response to irritant components of cigarette smoke. The new hypothesis explains some of the 'anomalous' results of smoking behaviour research, and has implications both for cigarette design and for the recommendations made to smokers by statutory health agencies.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D009538	Nicotine	Nicotine is highly toxic alkaloid. It is the prototypical agonist at nicotinic cholinergic receptors where it dramatically stimulates neurons and ultimately blocks synaptic transmission. Nicotine is also important medically because of its presence in tobacco smoke.	Nicotine Bitartrate,Nicotine Tartrate
D001980	Bronchi	The larger air passages of the lungs arising from the terminal bifurcation of the TRACHEA. They include the largest two primary bronchi which branch out into secondary bronchi, and tertiary bronchi which extend into BRONCHIOLES and PULMONARY ALVEOLI.	Primary Bronchi,Primary Bronchus,Secondary Bronchi,Secondary Bronchus,Tertiary Bronchi,Tertiary Bronchus,Bronchi, Primary,Bronchi, Secondary,Bronchi, Tertiary,Bronchus,Bronchus, Primary,Bronchus, Secondary,Bronchus, Tertiary
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D012906	Smoke	Visible gaseous suspension of carbon and other particulate matter emitted from burning substances.
D012907	Smoking	Willful or deliberate act of inhaling and exhaling SMOKE from burning substances or agents held by hand.	Smoking Behaviors,Smoking Habit,Behavior, Smoking,Behaviors, Smoking,Habit, Smoking,Habits, Smoking,Smoking Behavior,Smoking Habits