Oral composition and method for stress reduction associated with smoking cessation

Abstract

A confectionary composition is used in a method of reducing stress and the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users. The confectionary composition includes at least one of a sugar or a sugar alcohol and an effective amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent. Where the confectionary composition is a chewing gum, the composition includes a water soluble bulk portion and a water insoluble base portion. The stress-reducing flavoring agent can be one or more of peppermint flavor, vanilla flavor, or peach flavor. The stress-reducing flavoring agent reduces an abstaining tobacco user's urge to smoke and can reduce the level of salivary Cortisol in the abstaining tobacco user. The method reduces stress in tobacco users who must temporarily abstain from tobacco use and can reduce consumption of tobacco by tobacco users by increasing the interval between consumption events.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION DATA [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application having Ser. No. 60 / 722,307, filed Sep. 30, 2005.TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The invention relates generally to aids for treating tobacco or nicotine habits and, more particularly, to oral compositions, such as chewing gum and confectionary compounds, formulated to relieve psychological and physiological stress associated with smoking cessation. BACKGROUND [0003] There are about 1.1 billion tobacco smokers worldwide. In the U.S., about 30% of the population smokes cigarettes, of these, about 36-40% are 18-25 years old. Direct and passive exposure to smoking, and particularly cigarette smoking, is recognized as a substantial health factor, and a major risk factor in a variety of diseases, including coronary artery disease and a wide range of cancers. It is also recognized that nicotine, a constituent of tobacco, is highly addictive, making decreasing or ceasing to smoke tobacco-related p...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0010] In one aspect of the invention, a confectionary composition is formulated to reduce stress and the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users. The composition includes at least one of a sugar or a sugar alcohol and an effective amount of a stress-reducing flavoring agent sufficient to substantially reduce the urge to consume tobacco products.

[0011] In another aspect of the invention, a chewing gum composition is formulated to reduce stress and the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users. The composition includes a water soluble bulk portion, a water insoluble base portion, and at least one stress-reducing flavoring agent sufficient to substantially reduce the urge to smoke.

[0012] In yet another aspect of the invention, a method of reducing the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users includes orally administering a confectionary composition having an amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent effective to substantially reduce the urge to smoke during periods of smoking abstinence.

[0013] In a further aspect of the invention, a method of reducing stress in tobacco users who must temporarily abstain from tobacco use includes orally administering a confectionary composition having an amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent effective to substantially reduce the urge to smoke during periods of smoking abstinence.

[0014] In a still further aspect of the invention, a method of reducing consumption of tobacco by a tobacco user by increasing the interval between consumption events comprising orally administering a confectionary composition having an amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent effective to substantially reduce the urge to smoke during periods of smoking abstinence.

Problems solved by technology

It is also recognized that nicotine, a constituent of tobacco, is highly addictive, making decreasing or ceasing to smoke tobacco-related products very difficult for a significant percentage of tobacco users.

However, the smoker still has to restrict the use of the gum in a manner that will eventually overcome the addiction.

There are substantial limitations and drawbacks to the various methods of nicotine-replacement therapy in current use.

Orally ingested materials containing nicotine have a bad taste, may lead to mouth ulcers, heartburn and other adverse consequences, and are highly dependent of the user following a specific regime.

Other forms of oral administration can result in nausea, unpredictable nicotine blood levels and the like.

Patches, including transdermal patches, and other topical applications of nicotine can cause skin irritation, and patches containing nicotine are known to cause pruritus.

This approach is thus susceptible to abuse, and users are known to become addicted to the use of gum, patches or the like, and not to decrease nicotine intake as instructed.

Further, in such instances acute adverse medical consequences may result, including increased heart rate, increased blood pressure and other conditions associated with nicotine administration.

Accordingly, the use of nicotine therapy may actually increase the stress associated with smoking cessation.