Like other addictive drugs, nicotine becomes reinforcing with repeated use and induces the nicotine high . Tolerance to nicotine s effects develops rapidly and leads to increased use. Thus people may smoke for negative reasons, that is, to avoid the discomfort of withdrawal effects to maintain the nicotine peaks following each cigarette. About one out of three quitters will experience some of these symptoms. Dependence on nicotine controls the way people smoke.
Nicotine dependence is the major obstacle to the variety of strategies for quitting smoking.
Switching to a lower nicotine cigarette does not work. Alternatives such as nicotine gum or the patch may be beneficial, especially for heavier tobacco users. These supply a steady amount of nicotine and avoid the high and lows which can occur with smoking. The controlling nature of nicotine has been well understood by the tobacco industry for many years. Think of the cigarette as a dispenser for a dose unit of nicotine.