Chain smoking is the practice ofsmoking severalcigarettes in succession, sometimes using the ember of a finishing cigarette to light the next. The termchain smoker often also refers to a person who smokes relatively constantly, though not necessarilychaining each cigarette. The term applies primarily to cigarettes, although it can be used to describe incessantcigar andpipe smoking as well asvaping and the smoking of other substances such ascannabis. It is a common indicator ofaddiction.[1]
Many people chain-smoke when drinkingalcoholic beverages, becausealcohol potentiatesnicotinic acetylcholine receptors, leading tore-sensitization, hence inducing a craving.[2]
The extent to which chain smoking is driven bynicotine dependence has been studied. It does not seem that the amount of nicotine delivered is a significant factor, as the puff volume correlates poorly with the frequency of cigarette consumption.[3]
Chain smoking is given as an example of excessiveaddictive behavior in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders.[4] It may be used as a form ofaversion therapy for smokers who are unused to such heavy smoking, inducing them to give up altogether.[5]
Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals claim that an airflow of about 30 cubic meters per minute per smoker is required to maintain satisfactory air quality when the smokers are chain smoking.[6] However, research confirms that current HVAC systems, while important for general air quality, cannot control exposure tosecondhand smoke.[7]
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