Smokers trying to give up could get a real shock if they fail. In WO
99/37357, Alvin Blum of Florida proposes a modified cigarette lighter that
provides 鈥渘egative reinforcement鈥. The lighter has a metal casing with two
insulated electrodes. The flame is produced in the usual way, but when the cap
is closed to extinguish it a voltage is briefly applied to the electrodes. So
however keen for a cigarette, the smoker associates the first puff with an
electric shock to the hand. The power can be supplied by the battery circuit
that lights the flame.
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