by 
Angelito
ANSWERS: 7
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Unfortunately smoking is a psychological addiction (in addition to a physical one!) Some people need to have something in their hands and/or mouths to replace the cigarette. In fact, a lot of smokers I know will chew gum or eat candy when they know they won't be able to smoke for awhile. But some people had a stronger addiction or whatever and need something in their mouths constantly, usually food, and it results in weight gain. Hope this helps :D
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Nicotine is a stimulant and, like most stimulants, also acts as an mild appetite suppressnt. When smokers quit, the physical habit of smoking a cigarette is usually replaced by the need to eat, chew, gum, or other things. Also, with the stimulant out of the body, an ex-smoker tends to eat more that they would have with nicotine in their systems.
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One of the most significant reasons smokers gain weight when they quit is that nicotine is an appetite suppressant and a natural laxitive. Another reason is that smokers often have an oral fixation from constantly having a cigarette in their mouth. When smokers quit, they often times replace this fixation with snacks or candy, which acts as a replacement for the cigarette. One could also argue, due to the laws in states like california that prohibit smoking indoors, that smoker who quits would not be burning the calories they used to burn from having to get up and go outside for a cigarette. Granted the amount of calories burned is so miniscule it is almost meaningless, but would be a contributing factor to weight gain.
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I am a smoker and am trying to quit again. I find that I have an oral fixation issue. For instance when not smoking I bite my lips. I need something in my mouth. I know that sounds sick, but its like a security blanket. Almost like a child that is trying to stop sucking their thumb. Mints seem to help the problem and keep the weight off.
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Not only does nicotine act as an appetite suppressant, it increases your metabolic rate slightly. If you quit smoking without changing your eating habits, you run the risk of gaining weight anyways. To ensure that you don't gain weight, you actually have to decrease the number of calories you consume. This is particularly difficult, since your are no longer consuming the nicotine that suppresses your appetite.
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I have also read (but can't remember where) that smoking tends to dull the sense of taste and smell, and that people who quit find their food and drink now taste better, thus may eat more.
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I have an oral fixation too and am afraid that if I quit smoking I'll end up going back into sex work to cure my craving.
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