Cited by 448Smoking Behavior and CessationSubstance Abuse Treatment and OutcomesPrenatal Substance Exposure Effects

Does cigarette smoking cause stress?

Parrott, Andy C.·1999·American Psychologist

Abstract

Smokers often report that cigarettes help relieve feelings of stress. However, the stress levels of adult smokers are slightly higher than those of nonsmokers, adolescent smokers report increasing levels of stress as they develop regular patterns of smoking, and smoking cessation leads to reduced stress. Far from acting as an aid for mood control, nicotine dependency seems to exacerbate stress. This is confirmed in the daily mood patterns described by smokers, with normal moods during smoking and worsening moods between cigarettes. Thus, the apparent relaxant effect of smoking only reflects the reversal of the tension and irritability that develop during nicotine depletion. Dependent smokers need nicotine to remain feeling normal. The message that tobacco use does not alleviate stress but actually increases it needs to be far more widely known. It could help those adult smokers who wish to quit and might prevent some schoolchildren from starting.

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Crossref · 10.1037/0003-066x.54.10.817

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  • Despite smokers stating that they smoke to cope with stress, higher levels of stress have been found among smokers, which then declines with smoking cessation.

    “However, despite smokers stating that they smoke to cope with stress, higher levels of stress have been found among smokers, 104 which then declines with smoking cessation.105”

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Authors
Parrott, A. C.
Affiliations
University of East London (GB)
Corresponding author
Parrott, Andy C.
Venue
American Psychologist
Published
1999
Volume
54
Issue
10
Pages
817-820
ISSN
  • 0003-066X (ISSN-L)
  • 1935-990X
OpenAlex
W1991568126
Cited by
447
References
30
Citations by year
2026: 11 · 2025: 14 · 2024: 13 · 2023: 15 · 2022: 12 · 2021: 17 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 14 · 2018: 16 · 2017: 15 · 2016: 20 · 2015: 17 · 2014: 30 · 2013: 23 · 2012: 23
FWCI
6.90
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • American Psychologist (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Physiology › Smoking Behavior and Cessation
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Epidemiology › Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health › Prenatal Substance Exposure Effects
Keywords
cigarette smoking, stress, nicotine dependence, smoking cessation, adolescent smoking, mood, tobacco use, smoking cessation counseling
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Affect, Humans, Patient Education as Topic, Smoking, Stress, Psychological, Tobacco Use Disorder

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