Measurement of some topographical aspects of smoking in the natural environment

A major problem in smoking research has been measurement of the behavior. Instead of a simple response as originally assumed, smoking appears to be a relatively complex behavior. It is composed of a number of different responses, which include frequency (number of cigarettes smoked per day, number of puffs per cigarette), durational (puff duration, cigarette duration, interpuff interval, intercigarette interval), and volumetric (puff volume, inhalation volume) components. Together these components comprise a topography that determines the individual's actual smoke exposure.