| Abstract: Defining cigarette smoking as operant behavior that is maintained by both pharmacological-based (e.g., nicotine) and conditioned (e.g., taste) reinforcers leads to a number of interesting conclusions and implications. First, it may explain why relapse is such a problem when people try to quit smoking. Second, it suggests that treatment strategies designed to help individuals stop smoking need to prevent exposure to smoking and related cues or at least attenuate the reinforcing efficacy of cigarette smoking if exposure occurs. This could be accomplished through both behavioral and pharmacological means. Finally, it suggests that cigarette smoking prevention may be accomplished by keeping individuals from ever coming in contact with the reinforcing aspects of smoking (e.g., through educational programs or immunotherapy). The address will provide discussion of all of these areas. |