This is when someone consistantly eats objects that are not normal foods. For example, things like leaves, mud, paper, cigarette butts.
Pica is more common in people that are brain damaged or have a mental handicap.
If the simple measures don't work, then a doctor or specialist may recommend some simple techniques that are derived from behavioural therapy . More serious cases, often these are combined with a set of other problems, may require more intensive forms of intervention, usually from a specialist. For example, if a person is eating cigarette butts they may well have become addicted to the nicotine contained in them. It usually takes an intensive intervention to be able to help them. If you can, think of this particular example as giving up smoking.