Smoking Cessation and Anxiety Sensitivity

Cigarette smoking is highly prevalent in the United States and associated with a host of negative outcomes. Individuals with elevated mental health conditions who smoke cigarettes are among the most vulnerable in terms of difficulty quitting smoking. Anxiety sensitivity (AS) is one targetable transdiagnostic factor that has consistently been implicated as a prominent and unique individual difference factor relevant to both mental health conditions and smoking behavior. Thus, the present chapter presents an integrated intervention program (Anxiety Sensitivity Reduction Program for Smoking; ASRP-S) developed to target AS in the context of smoking cessation. ASRP-S consists of four in-person treatment sessions focusing on multiple treatment techniques (i.e., cognitive behavioral, motivational interviewing, pharmacotherapy, etc.) and psychoeducation to target AS reduction and smoking cessation. The chapter provides empirical support for the implementation of ASRP-S and suggestions for personalized treatment approaches as well as a practical guide to assist clinicians in utilizing the treatment.