Table 1 Inclusion and exclusion criteria and reasoning

- Minimum age of 18 years, maximum age of 65

To ensure a minimum age of participation

- Smoking an average of at least 5 cigarettes per day

To ensure inclusion of regular smokers only

- Provision of informed consent

To ensure informed consent of the subjects

Exclusion Criteria

Reasoning

- Participation in other psychosocial or pharmacological interventions/therapies that could interfere with smoking cessation or any NRT treatments or medications for smoking cessation during the study

To avoid confounding treatment effects

- Acute alcohol or other substance use intoxication other than nicotine

To avoid confounding of alcohol or substance use effects

- Any signs of psychotic symptoms

To avoid subjects with these problems entering the study as symptoms could be exacerbated during relaxation or hypnosis