Oral composition and method for stress reduction associated with smoking cessation

Abstract

A confectionary composition is used in a method of reducing stress and the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users. The confectionary composition includes at least one of a sugar or a sugar alcohol and an effective amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent. Where the confectionary composition is a chewing gum, the composition includes a water soluble bulk portion and a water insoluble base portion. The stress-reducing flavoring agent can be one or more of peppermint flavor, vanilla flavor, or peach flavor. The stress-reducing flavoring agent reduces an abstaining tobacco user's urge to smoke and can reduce the level of salivary Cortisol in the abstaining tobacco user. The method reduces stress in tobacco users who must temporarily abstain from tobacco use and can reduce consumption of tobacco by tobacco users by increasing the interval between consumption events.

1 . A confectionary composition, formulated to reduce stress and the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users, the composition comprising: 
 (a) at least one of a sugar or a sugar alcohol; and    (b) an effective amount of a stress-reducing flavoring agent sufficient to substantially reduce the urge to consume tobacco products.    
   
   
       2 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the stress-reducing flavoring agent comprises peppermint flavor.  
   
   
       3 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the stress-reducing flavoring agent comprises vanilla flavor.  
   
   
       4 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the stress-reducing flavoring agent comprises a combination of peppermint flavor and vanilla flavor.  
   
   
       5 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the stress-reducing flavoring agent comprises peach flavor.  
   
   
       6 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises a chewing gum.  
   
   
       7 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises a hard candy.  
   
   
       8 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition comprises a soft candy.  
   
   
       9 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the composition further comprises an artificial sweetener.  
   
   
       10 . The composition of  claim 1  wherein the stress-reducing flavoring agent reduces the level of salivary Cortisol in the abstaining tobacco users.  
   
   
       11 . A chewing gum composition formulated to reduce stress and the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users, the composition comprising: 
 (a) a water soluble bulk portion;    (b) a water insoluble base portion; and    (c) an effective amount of at least one stress-reducing flavoring agent sufficient to substantially reduce the urge to smoke.    
   
   
       12 . The chewing gum composition of  claim 11  wherein the water soluble bulk portion comprises one or more sweeteners, high intensity sweeteners, flavoring agents, softeners, emulsifiers, colors, acidulants, fillers, and antioxidants.  
   
   
       13 . The chewing gum composition of  claim 11  wherein the water insoluble base portion comprises one or more of elastomers, resins, fats and oils, softeners, and inorganic fillers.  
   
   
       14 . The chewing gum of  claim 11  wherein the stress-reducing flavoring agent comprises peppermint flavor.  
   
   
       15 . The chewing gum of  claim 14  wherein the peppermint flavor comprises spray dried peppermint flavor.  
   
   
       16 . The chewing gum of  claim 11  wherein the stress-reducing flavoring agent comprises vanilla flavor.  
   
   
       17 . The chewing gum of  claim 11  wherein the stress-reducing flavoring agent comprises a combination of peppermint flavor and vanilla flavor.  
   
   
       18 . The chewing gum of  claim 11  wherein the stress-reducing flavoring agent comprises peach flavor.  
   
   
       19 . The chewing gum of  claim 11  wherein the water soluble bulk portion comprises a water soluble polyhydric alcohol and artificial sweeteners.  
   
   
       20 . A coated chewing gum product comprising the composition of  claim 11 .  
   
   
       21 . A method of reducing the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users comprising orally administering a confectionary composition having an amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent effective to substantially reduce the urge to smoke during periods of smoking abstinence.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the oral administration of the confectionary composition reduces psychological anxiety during periods of smoking abstinence.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 21  wherein the oral administration of the confectionary composition increases the time period between tobacco use sessions in a habitual tobacco user.  
   
   
       24 . A method of reducing stress in tobacco users who must temporarily abstain from tobacco use comprising orally administering a confectionary composition having an amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent effective to substantially reduce the urge to smoke during periods of smoking abstinence.  
   
   
       25 . A method of reducing consumption of tobacco by a tobacco user by increasing the interval between consumption events comprising orally administering a confectionary composition having an amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent effective to substantially reduce the urge to smoke during periods of smoking abstinence.