Virtual Smoking

Nowadays technologies advanced to an amazing level. There are created different know-hows and virtual systems.

Researchers from the University of Georgia created a project of virtual test of smoking people. This project was sustained by the National Institute on Drug Abuse that offered a grant of $130,000 to Patrick Bordnick, assistant professor of social work at the University of Georgia who studied people’ responses to such signals as being offered a smoking product at a party or seeing a pack of cigarettes, coffee or alcohol, etc.

Protective equipment consisted of a black plastic helmet with a video screen and headphones that cover the patient’s eyes and ears. And a band placed around the chest monitors heart rate and measures physiological responses such as anxiety and mood levels.

Program consists in assessing virtual environment that encourages smokers to light up cigarettes. For example, they go through a series of rooms where they are provoked to light up a tobacco product.

First, participant enters a room where such statements as “All I want right now is a cigarette” and “I am going to smoke as soon as possible” pop up and answers with a video game joystick.

Another room features tables with tobacco ashtrays with burning cigarettes and computer-generated smoke, cigarette butts, lighters, packs of cigarettes (which can be changed to any color to look like a certain brand), bottles of alcohol and coffee percolating.

Last test is the most provocative. It is a party where people communicate, smoke cigarettes and drink beer. Computer atmosphere is sustained by music and clinking of glasses.

It is created so real that at definite moment you believe that it is true. Partygoers offer you a cig, and if it’s refused the first time, the cigarette’ offers become stronger.

According to the authors, this virtual “game” was created for studying smokers’ reactions in different situations that can be frequently met in real life.

Goal of this “smoking” game is to create the nicotine addiction program for therapists, and further grants will be invested in creation of same programs to help treat drug and alcohol addictions.

If this project will give positive results Bordnick hopes to receive another grant to develop a treatment program.