Effects of Smoking and Smoking Cues on Prospective Memory

This study aimed to investigate the effects of smoking and smoking-related cues on prospective memory (PM). A total of 120 participants, 60 smokers, and 60 non-smokers, were included in the study. The study utilized a task called “Virtual Week” (VW), which consisted of a training day and three virtual days, encom- passing 30 PM tasks. Dependent variables were VW completion duration and correct answers on VW. The study revealed that smokers had a significantly lower rate of correct responses in PM tasks compared to non-smokers. Among smokers, the type of cue (smoking-related or unrelated) had only a slight impact on their PM performance. For smokers, the Spearman-Brown split-half reliability coefficient was found to be .74, and Cronbach’s alpha was .76. In summary, smoking was shown to have a detrimental effect on the ability to remember future tasks, aligning with previous research suggesting that smokers perceive deficits in their PM. However, the study only partially supported the theory of cue reactivity, as the type of cue had only a minor influence on smokers’ PM performance. This research contributes to our understanding of the cognitive consequences of smoking and the role of cues in prospective memory among young individuals.

Cite this article as: Pakyürek, G., & Cangöz-Tavat, B. (2025). Effects of smoking and smoking cues on prospective memory. Addicta: The Turkish Journal on Addictions , 12(1), 27-34.