Nicotine Craving and Cue-Exposure Therapy

Smoking is affecting global population, causing different cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, cancer, asthma and kidney problems. Although it can be prevented, smoking is one of the major causes of death all over the world. Smoking is a social activity that depending on the context may have different meanings for smokers even if they are aware of the risks they are exposed. Smokers may use different methods of intervention to help them get rid of nicotine addiction. One method is referring to the cue exposure therapy performed using virtual reality. Virtual reality is a new technology used in the treatment of nicotine addiction that involves immersing smokers in environments with specific stimuli in order to reduce the level of craving. This article aims to present the main environments that cause smokers from Romania to feel a greater desire to smoke compared to other environments. Identification of specific stimuli in front of which smokers experience a higher level of craving is the first important step in designing interventions that are based on cue exposure therapy through virtual reality.