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This study investigated the effects of cigarette smoking on short-term memory and attention. Recent research has suggested that nicotine may enhance both short-term memory and attention, although the results gathered regarding short-term memory are Inconsistent and vary from study to study. The participants, 40 smokers and 40 non-smokers, were given a 20 word recall test followed by a computerized visual information processing task. The results implied that nicotine significantly enhanced short-term memory while having no effect on attention. The present study aimed to build on previous research and clear up some of the inconsistencies surrounding the field. Developments in this area may provide information regarding treatments for those suffering from cognitive impairments.
