Smoking Images Trigger Quitters

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Have you ever wondered why people are so susceptible to temptation after they kick the habit of cigarette smoking? It is a well-known fact that when ex-smokers see people smoking in movies or television it can induce cravings.

Researchers at Dartmouth had the same question and they had the technology to take a serious look. They took thirty five people -- half of them smokers -- and measured brain activity.

The study participants saw a movie clip. What they saw was that brain areas with so called mirror neurons were triggered causing smokers to mirror the movements of people actually doing them. What they found is people mimicked the activity without getting the satisfaction.

Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor