Comparative effects of rapid and normal smoking on heart rate and carboxyhemoglobin.

Compared a rapid smoking procedure closely approximating that found in clinical and research practice to normal smoking and a rapid breathing/sham-smoking control. Ss were 3 male and 3 female undergraduates who had smoked for an average of 4.4 yrs with a mean baseline of 24.2 cigarettes/day. Nicotine concentration of cigarettes was systematically varied. Major dependent variables included heart rate (HR) and estimates of blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) based on expired respiratory air carbon monoxide. Results show rapid smoking produced significantly greater rise in HR than normal smoking. No carbon monoxide differences were found across the smoking conditions. Individual data indicated that no S exceeded estimated danger levels of COHb or HR increases. Although replication and extension of these findings are necessary, results indicate that rapid smoking is not unduly hazardous to nonsymptomatic young adults. A suggested screening procedure for rapid smoking is presented. (28 ref) (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)