Abstract

It might reasonably be claimed that smoking in moderation is a pleasure - that only heavy smoking is a habit. Pleasure or habit, one British doctor in two does not smoke, and probably more people than ever before are trying to give up smoking. This is the result of the brilliant epidemiological studies which point so strongly to the relationship between cigarette smoking and cancer of the lung, and cigarette smoking and bronchitis (Smoking and Health, Royal College of Physicians 1962). Though the will may be there the way is not always easy, and a number of “anti-smoking” preparations are offered to help keep the smoker from his tobacco. They include astringent lozenges to make smoking unpleasant for him (Finifume; Nicobrevin; Terminex; Ancig; Stanwood treatment), lozenges containing a local anaesthetic and aromatic oils presumably to dull or lull his taste (present in some of the preparations named), and tablets containing lobeline to substitute for nicotine (Lobidan; Cigenda; Lobron). There are also cachous (tablets to be chewed or sucked) which are claimed to antagonise the flavour of tobacco without affecting the taste of food or drink (Nicoban).