Q:
Lately I've been having cravings for cigarettes, but I'm not a smoker, nor did I grow up around any form of tobacco use. Yet I still am having some cravings and even catch myself sucking in secondhand smoke as I walk by people who are smoking. What is going on with me, and what can I do about it? I don't want to begin smoking at all, and am having trouble ignoring these cravings. Thanks so much!
A:
This is unusual indeed! It is likely the smell you are appreciating (though that is hard to imagine too!) so I'd look to see if you can substitute some other smell or taste that will work for you to distract you from this temptation. Gum works for many people because it has taste, and tactile sensation, but not much smell. Keeping a little vial of spice to smell might help.
~The Doc
