Rosenblatt, MR; Olmstead, RE*; Iwamoto-Schaap, PN; Jarvik, ME

Physiology & Behavior [Physiol. Behav.], vol. 65, no. 3, pp. 575-579, 1 Dec 1998

Nonsmokers and smokers were compared for olfactory sensitivity to two odors associated with cigarettes: nicotine and menthol. Smokers were tested twice - while nonabstinent, and after 16-20 h of smoking abstinence. Smokers showed a higher olfactory threshold for nicotine than did nonsmokers, but the same threshold for menthol. Furthermore, when the smokers were abstinent, they showed a lower olfactory threshold for nicotine than when they were nonabstinent, but again, the same threshold for menthol. These results suggest a nicotine specific olfactory deficit in smokers that is reduced during abstinence.