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A Comprehensive Evaluation of Tobacco-Flavored vs. Non-Tobacco Flavored E-cigarettes on Smoking Behavior

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Cigarette Smoking-Related Carcinoma
Interventions
Other: Questionnaire Administration
Device: Vaping
Registration Number
NCT06260683
Lead Sponsor
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Brief Summary

This clinical trial compares the use of tobacco flavored electronic cigarettes (ECs) vs. non-tobacco flavored ECs vs. nicotine replacement therapy (patches and lozenges) on smoking behavior in current cigarette smokers. ECs may reduce cigarette craving and withdrawal symptoms, increase motivation and confidence to stop cigarette smoking, and decrease cigarette smoking and dependence. By comparing participants' preferred flavor ECs (PEC) to tobacco flavor ECs (TEC) to NRT, researchers hope to determine the effect of EC flavors on appeal and use and learn how ECs affect smoking behaviors and health.

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Determine PEC versus vs. TEC vs. nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) on tobacco use patterns including product switching, abstinence from cigarettes, and number of cigarettes smoked.

II. Examine PEC vs. TEC vs. NRT on cigarette craving, withdrawal symptoms, and perceived nicotine dependence.

III. Examine PEC vs. TEC on product appeal and uptake, including initial trial, days used during period of product provision, and purchase and continued use after 12 weeks.

OUTLINE: Participants are randomized to 1 of 3 arms.

ARM I: Participants receive PEC for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to become familiar with usage.

ARM II: Participants receive TEC for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to become familiar with usage.

ARM III: Participants receive NRT (nicotine patches and lozenges) for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to become familiar with usage.

Participants in all arms participate in discussions throughout the trial.

SURVEILLANCE PHASE: Participants in all arms are followed for 12-weeks after completion of study procedures.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
1500
Inclusion Criteria
  • >= 21 years old
  • Smoke >= 5 cigarettes per day for the past year
  • Willing to use either an EC or NRT
  • Read and speak English
  • Have a smartphone
Exclusion Criteria
  • Report currently using smoking cessation medications, NRT, or actively seeking treatment for smoking cessation
  • Current use of an EC > 4 days a month
  • Diagnosed medical conditions of lung disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, heart disease or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Unmanaged (unmedicated and/or without counseling) diagnosis of schizophrenia
  • History of cardiac event or distress within the past 3 months
  • Currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant within 6 months, or breastfeeding
  • High blood pressure not controlled by medications
  • Serious angina pectoris or chest pain
  • Stroke within the past three months
  • Known allergy to propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin
  • Serious underlying arrhythmias, irregular heartbeat or abnormal heart rhythm
  • Live in same household as another study participant

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
Arm I (PEC)Questionnaire AdministrationParticipants receive PEC for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to become familiar with usage. Participants in all arms participate in discussions throughout the trial.
Arm III (NRT)Questionnaire AdministrationParticipants receive NRT (nicotine patches and lozenges) for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to become familiar with usage. Participants in all arms participate in discussions throughout the trial.
Arm I (PEC)VapingParticipants receive PEC for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to become familiar with usage. Participants in all arms participate in discussions throughout the trial.
Arm II (TEC)VapingParticipants receive TEC for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to become familiar with usage. Participants in all arms participate in discussions throughout the trial.
Arm II (TEC)Questionnaire AdministrationParticipants receive TEC for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to become familiar with usage. Participants in all arms participate in discussions throughout the trial.
Arm III (NRT)Nicotine ReplacementParticipants receive NRT (nicotine patches and lozenges) for 14 weeks, including a 2-week pre-switch period to become familiar with usage. Participants in all arms participate in discussions throughout the trial.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
7-day point prevalence complete switching rateAt week 14

Self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence (no cigarettes, not even a puff, in the previous 7 days), any reported use of ECs or NRT over the past 7 days, and an exhaled CO reading of ≤6ppm.

Biochemically verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence from cigarettesAt week 14

Biochemical verification of abstinence from cigarettes (exhaled CO reading of ≤6ppm) combined with self-reported 7-day point prevalence abstinence (no cigarettes, not even a puff, in the previous 7 days).

Cigarettes smoked per dayAt week 14

Cigarettes smoked per day as evaluated with the timeline follow-back questionnaire.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in cigarettes smoked per dayFrom baseline to 26 weeks

Changes in cigarettes smoked per day from baseline to 26 weeks will be evaluated with the timeline follow-back questionnaire.

Change in nicotine dependenceFrom baseline to 14 weeks

Among participants abstaining from smoking, changes in nicotine dependence from baseline to 14 weeks will be assessed in the PEC, TEC, and NRT arms with the PROMIS nicotine dependence scale. Scores range from 0 to 16 with higher scores indicating greater dependence.

Changes in cigarette craving and nicotine withdrawalAt baseline, 2, 6, 14, and 26 weeks

Cigarette craving and nicotine withdrawal will be measured using the Mood and Physical Symptoms Scale (MPSS). Total MPSS scores range from 12 to 60 with higher scores indicating a greater severity of tobacco withdrawal symptoms.

Number of days used in past weekAt 2, 6, and 14 weeks

The number of days the study products are used in the past 7 days during the period of product provision in the PEC and TEC arms.

Number of days used in past monthAt 6 and 14 weeks

The number of days the study products are used in the past 30 days during the period of product provision in the PEC and TEC arms.

Product appealAt 2, 6, 14, and 26 weeks

EC appeal is measured with the modified Cigarette Evaluation Questionnaire (mCEQ) to assess subjected responses to ECs (e.g., reward, satisfaction).

Continued use of ECsFrom 14 to 26 weeks

The proportion of participants who continue to use ECs between 14 and 26 weeks in the PEC and TEC arms.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

🇺🇸

Columbus, Ohio, United States

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