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To link to full-text access for this article, visit this link: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.addbeh.2006.05.021 Byline: Jason D. Robinson (a), Paul M. Cinciripini (a), Stephen T. Tiffany (b), Brian L. Carter (a), Cho Y. Lam (a), David W. Wetter (c) Keywords: Nicotine; Gender differences; Startle; Affect; Smoking deprivation Abstract: Men and women may differ in their sensitivity to the mood-modulating properties of nicotine. Male and female adult smokers were exposed to four sessions crossing two nicotine deprivation conditions (12-h deprived vs. nondeprived) with two drug conditions (nicotine vs. placebo nasal spray). Acoustic probes elicited startle eyeblink responses while viewing affective and cigarette-related slides. In-session mood ratings were collected to gauge self-reported negative affect, positive affect, and craving. Nicotine nasal spray reduced startle amplitude in both men and women following 12-h deprivation compared with smoking nondeprivation. During nondeprivation, nicotine nasal spray increased startle amplitude in women compared with placebo spray, whereas no difference was found for men. The startle results suggest that both men and women are responsive to the hedonic properties of nicotine. Author Affiliation: (a) Department of Behavioral Science, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, P.O. Box 301439, Unit 1330, Houston, TX 77230, United States (b) University of Utah School of Medicine, 410 Chipeta Way, Room 222, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, United States (c) Department of Health Disparities Research, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Unit 125, Houston, TX 77030, United States

The proportion of DSM-IV-based threshold and subthreshold depressive disorders is assessed. The results suggest that investigation of the prevalence of depression in community samples of pregnant smokers is warranted, as depression may present a major obstacle in pregnant women's efforts to quit smoking.

The association between education level and smoking status in a community-based sample of working adults is examined. It was found that there was a strong educational gradient in smoking status.

This article examines the relationship between alcohol use and smoking behavior. An analysis of demographic characteristics, alcohol consumption, and tobacco use is presented.

Scheduled reduced smoking is a promising approach in manipulating smoking behavior prior to quitting, thus enhancing cessation rates. Compared to gradual reduction and abrupt quitting or 'cold turkey' techniques, scheduled reduced smoking exhibited superior abstinence rates. It has been found to improve adaptation to nonsmoking and minimize vulnerability to relapse, as gleaned from pattern of results observed for abstinence, withdrawal, negative affect and smoking urges.