A confectionary composition is used in a method of reducing stress and the urge to smoke in abstaining tobacco users. The confectionary composition includes at least one of a sugar or a sugar alcohol and an effective amount of stress-reducing flavoring agent. Where the confectionary composition is a chewing gum, the composition includes a water soluble bulk portion and a water insoluble base portion. The stress-reducing flavoring agent can be one or more of peppermint flavor, vanilla flavor, or peach flavor. The stress-reducing flavoring agent reduces an abstaining tobacco user's urge to smoke and can reduce the level of salivary Cortisol in the abstaining tobacco user. The method reduces stress in tobacco users who must temporarily abstain from tobacco use and can reduce consumption of tobacco by tobacco users by increasing the interval between consumption events.