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In a study American researchers reported that smokers are more unrest after a night's sleep than non smokers. Researchers who tracked the brain activity of smokers while they slept found that they spent less time in deep sleep than nonsmokers.

"It is possible that smoking has time-dependent effects across the sleep period," said Dr Naresh M Punjabi, who is Associate Professor of Medicine and Epidemiology based at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland, and colleagues.

He added: "Smokers commonly experience difficulty falling asleep due to the stimulating effects of nicotine. As night evolves, withdrawal from nicotine may further contribute to sleep disturbance."

Punjabi and colleagues compared the electroencephalogram (EEG) sleep patterns of 40 smokers and 40 non smokers. They analyzed the different frequencies in the EEG sleep patterns using spectral analysis.

After this research they showed that the smokers had a lower percentage of "delta power" which equates to less deep sleep, and a higher percentage of "alpha power" which equates to more light sleep, compared to the non smokers.

American researchers hope that their finding will help them to create plans or antismoking programs that will help smokers quit.

"Many smokers have difficulty with smoking cessation partly because of the sleep disturbances as a result of nicotine withdrawal," said Punjabi.

"By understanding the temporal effects of nicotine on sleep, we may be able to better tailor nicotine replacement to minimize the withdrawal effects that smokers experience, particularly during sleep," he added.