New Study Reveals Connection Between Impulsiveness and Smoking

According to a 2012 survey published, nearly 20 percent of the adult population in the United Kingdom smokes tobacco cigarettes. Due in large part to the prevalence of tobacco-related illnesses and deaths throughout the U.K. and the world, more than 50 percent of current smokers report a sincere desire to kick the habit for good.

In the majority of cases (up to 90 percent), however, relapse typically occurs within one year of quitting. Reasons for relapse or the inability to quit vary on a case-by-case basis and may include factors such as stress, depression, physical need related to withdrawal, or even the firm belief that it’s simply impossible to quit.

Another recent study published reveals that one additional factor may play a more significant role than any of these components combined: Impulsivity.

Impulse and Craving: The Cognitive Link

Many people may fondly consider themselves impulsive to a point, in the sense that they might run off on a spontaneous road trip with friends on a whim because their weekend plans just opened up, or they just spent an extra £30 at the shopping centre's on something frivolous because it was marked down from £100. This isn’t the type of impulse behaviour the scientists targeted in there recent study, but it does, interestingly enough, originate in the same parts of the brain that they evaluated.

The prefrontal cortex, for example, is associated with separating and understanding complex thoughts, emotions and urges, and suppressing them when necessary. A sudden increase in activity in this particular area of the brain may indicate the mind’s desire to fulfill a certain need or want or, conversely, the need to subdue that desire, depending on the circumstances.

Analysing Neural Circuitry

During the study, 31 chronic smokers were passively presented with a number of diverse images. Some of the images were neutral while others were smoking-related. During the presentation of the visual stimuli, the participants were asked to report their feelings regarding any cravings they might experience as their brains were scanned. They also completed the BIS-11 (the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale), one of the most commonly utilised self-report instruments used to assess impulsivity.

Scans of the prefrontal and cingulated cortices revealed notable positive correlation between increases in activity, they score and cravings reported by participants. Smokers whose impulsivity scores were highest reported stronger, more frequent cravings for tobacco cigarettes overall.

Even as this positive correlation suggested a connection between impulsivity and the strength of cravings, a negative correlation involving a different part of the brain supported the idea that highly impulsive smokers may have an extremely difficult time managing their cravings, regardless of strength. A marked decrease in activity in the posterior cingulate cortex, or PCC, was observed, in conjunction with a similar change in Barratt scores.

The analysts believe that these results support their previous postulation regarding cue-induced tobacco cravings. The decreased ability of an inherently impulsive individual to resist an intense craving may certainly have an effect on whether or not said individual is capable of quitting smoking in a traditional way (i.e., cold turkey, smoking cessation aids, etc.) or maintaining successful cessation for an extended period of time.

They point out that this study is the first of its kind and that the results gleaned from his research have yet to be confirmed by others in the field. They hope that these findings and his processes will encourage future teams of researchers and psychiatrists to delve into the study of the posterior cingulate cortex, particularly in regard to its key role as the cognitive seat of tobacco cravings.

Learning more about the various ways in which the brain develops and reacts to cravings will help medical professionals treating individuals addicted to tobacco and other substances formulate effective and successful treatment plans for their patients. It is the hope of scientists that research like this will someday open the door to a comprehensive and permanent solution to the dangerous problem of tobacco addiction.

3 Reasons Why You Should Use INCIG Electronic Cigarettes?

3 reasons to switch to INCIG electronic cigarettes

Here at INCIG, we have stated that electronic cigarettes look, taste and feel just like a traditional cigarette. This claim has been backed by our client testimonials and our continued success as a leading e-cigarette brand.

We, however, recognise that if this were the only advantage of an electronic cigarette, you would be better off just sticking with your traditional tobacco brand. In order to consider making the switch, there has to be some added appeal.

Save with Electronic Cigarettes

Well, if cold hard facts are what you seek; INCIG has compiled a list of three ways in which electronic cigarettes help you save.

• Save your budget: If you are like the typical smoker, you probably spend somewhere from £6 to £8 on a pack of 20 cigarettes – which means that if you smoke a pack a day, you are spending around £2,000 a year. In comparison, this same pack a day habit converts to about £450 in electronic cigarettes – This adds up to a huge cost savings over the year.
•  Save the environment: Every year, some 600 million trees are destroyed, all in the name of producing tobacco cigarettes. In addition, a countless number of cigarette filters and waded up packs get tossed, many of which end up lining our street curbs and filling our parks. The electronic cig revolution is putting an end to this waste. Because many electronic cigarette refills are recyclable, e-cigs are proving to be a more environmentally friendly alternative.
• Save time: Smoking bans are just about everywhere. You can no longer smoke at work, in the movie theatre, or even at the bar. Think about how much time you waste running outside, searching for a designated smoking spot? However, because electronic cigarettes have no odour or smoke, you can pretty much smoke them anywhere, even places where tobacco smoking has been banned. By simply staying put when the need to light up strikes, you can literally save yourself hours a day.

Call to Action: United Kingdom

If you live in the United Kingdom please read and contact your local councillor to politely and respectively let them know you oppose the proposed  plans to regulate Electronic cigarettes.

ATTENTION: If you enjoy INCIG eCigs or any other electronic cigarette product for that matter and live in the UK we are asking that you contact any influential person, organisation, the media and your local Councillor to voice your opposition to a newly proposed regulation by the MHRA which could quite possibly have a detrimental effect on the electronic cigarette industry. 

BACKGROUND: In March 2011, the MHRA published the outcome of a public consultation on whether to bring nicotine-containing products (NCPs) within the medicines licensing regime. The response to public consultation showed strong support from the medical and public health communities for the application of the medicines regulatory framework. It was also clear that there was a need for further work to inform a final decision. Since that time, the MHRA has coordinated a programme of research on the use, quality and safety of NCPs, their potential impact on public health and how regulation might best be applied.

CALL TO ACTION: Please contact your local councillor and tell them:

• You oppose MHRA regulation plans
• Electronic cigarettes should not be treated the same as traditional cigarettes
• Electronic cigarettes produce no tobacco smoke, ash, or odour.
• Having restrictions on electronic cigarettes would negatively impact your ability to switch from traditional cigarettes to electronic cigarettes
• Your personal story about why you switched to electronic cigarettes

7 Lucky Tips To Consider When Choosing Your Electronic Cigarette

Electroniccigarettes are rapidly becoming the cigarette of choice for many smokers today. They can be smoked in many places traditional cigarettes are banned, and smokers don’t have to worry about cigarette odours, cigarette breath, or ash.

But all electronic cigarettes are not created equal. Here are 7 things you should consider when choosing an electronic cigarette:

1. Durable, Quality Batteries: The electronic cigarette battery is the lifeblood of the electronic cigarette. You should make sure that your battery is powerful enough to get you through a full day of smoking – at least 300 puffs worth.
   It’s also important to make sure that the battery is durable. You’ll be keeping it in your pocket and it’s sure to take a number of bumps throughout your day.
2. Ease of Use: When electronic cigarettes were first introduced to the market they utilised a 3 piece design. This design required smokers to manually refill their e-cigs with a messy smoking liquid that would frequently spill and get everywhere, staining clothing and furniture. They also contained a reusable atomiser which would clog and reduce performance with use.
   Today the industry standard is the 2-piece design. This design makes replacing the e-cigarette refill cartridge very easy, because the cartridge comes pre-filled with e liquid. It also contains a fresh atomiser in each replacement, ensuring a fresh experience with each puff. To replace they cartridge, you simply need to screw off the used cartridge (cartomiser) and screw on a fresh one.
   Be sure to choose an electronic cigarette that has a 2-piece design.
3. Multiple Charging Options: The battery is what keeps you vaping. If you choose an electronic cigarette kit that only has a USB charger, then you’ll be out of luck when you run out of power and you’re nowhere near a computer to charge it.
   Be sure to get an electronic cigarette kit that gives you multiple charging options – preferably a personal charging case, USB adapter and a wall adapter. This pretty much guarantees that you’ll be able to charge your battery anywhere you are.
4. Flavour: Let’s face it, you can certainly smoke any cigarette you want to, but the only ones that you’ll enjoy are the ones with great flavour. You might find that you like to change your flavour to match your mood or that you want to try a number of flavours until you find your favourite. The point is the more flavour options, the more likely you’ll find the best flavour for you.
   Specifically regarding tobacco flavours, just like not all cigarettes have the same tobacco taste, e-cigarette flavours should also offer multiple tobacco options. Choose an e-cig company that has multiple flavours and multiple tobacco flavour options. Also choose one that’s known for their flavour.
5. Cartomiser Life: This is another “usage” thing. Yes, you want to make sure you get a good flavour, but you also want that flavour to last. It’s really annoying to change your cartomiser after 50 puffs – even if you paid a cheaper price for that cartomiser.
   Make sure that the cartomisers from the company you choose last a long time – at least 300 puffs per cartomiser. The more puffs per cartomiser, the longer you’ll go between changing cartomisers – and the more you’ll save because of it.
6. High Smoke Volume: This is another thing to look for – high smoke volume. One of the little pleasures of smoking is watching the smoke escape your lips and form a cloud. Not all e-cigs are created equal in this regard. Be sure to read reviews and maybe even watch a video to make sure that the e-cig has a high smoke volume output.
7. Customer Service: This is a tip that really applies to any product that you choose – e-cig or not. A good customer service team is essential for guaranteeing that you get the best experience possible. The last thing you want is to spend a lot of money on an electronic cigarette kit, find out the battery doesn’t work and then spend hours trying to reach an actual person on the phone to help you, and then being told that they won’t replace that battery.
   Be sure to choose a company with reliable customer service and product guarantees. Look for lifetime warranties on products, live chat etc. A good customer service department ensures a good experience for you.

There are a number of electronic cigarette companies out there – all with different products, and all stating they can give you the best alternative. It’s not easy to choose the right one for you, but hopefully these 7 tips will make it easier for you to make the right choice.

Remember, you get what you pay for, but don’t pay over the odds and pay for the electronic cigarette marketing budget!