Sex differences in smoking cue reactivity: Craving, negative affect, and preference for immediate smoking

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Female smokers have greater difficulty quitting, possibly due to increased reactivity to smoking-related cues. This study assessed sex differences in craving, affect, and preference for immediate smoking after cue exposure. METHODS: Regular smokers (n = 60; 50% female) were exposed to smoking and neutral cues in separate, counterbalanced sessions. Outcomes included changes in craving and affect and preference for immediate smoking following cue exposure. RESULTS: Findings indicated that women exhibited greater preference for immediate smoking (p = .004), and reported greater cue-induced increases in cigarette craving (p = .046) and negative affect (p = .025). DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS: These data suggest that women may have greater difficulty inhibiting smoking after cue exposure, possibly as a consequence of greater increases in craving and negative affect. SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE AND FUTURE DIRECTIONS: Findings suggest a mechanism that may contribute to greater cessation failure among female smokers.