Silver acetate mouth spray as an aid in smoking cessation: results of a double-blind trial.

Background: We studied the use of an aversive technique to improve the outcome of smoking-cessation efforts. We hypothesized that a silver acetate mouth spray, which produces a strong aversive taste when cigarettes are smoked, would increase the quit rate among smokers.

Methods: Our study was a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial that was carried out in a private family practice office in an urban area. We studied 42 smokers, who were recruited by advertisement and who were motivated to quit by self-report. They were randomly assigned active spray or placebo spray; all were given a written list of behavioral suggestions. The spray was to be used every 2 hours for 3 weeks during which time the subjects were to keep diaries of cigarette smoking and spray use. Biochemical measures (salivary thiocyanate and cotinine) were recorded at entry, at 3 weeks, and at 3 months.

Results: Thirty smokers completed the study. No differences were found between the two groups in quit rate or number of cigarettes smoked.

Conclusions: Silver acetate aversive spray did not increase quit rate among motivated smokers.