Communicating About Nicotine and Differential Risks of Tobacco Products in Priority Populations
Georgia State University
Summary
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how a messaging campaign about reduced nicotine cigarettes and policy, combined with the use of very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs), affects smoking behavior and attitudes among adult smokers. The study also aims to assess the efficacy of the messages in different populations, including smokers with past-month serious psychological distress (SPD), low socioeconomic status (SES), and those in neither category. The primary hypothesis is: exposure to messages in combination with VLNC use will lead to less cigarettes use compared to VLNCs without messages. Researchers will compare: The effects of receiving VLNCs with messages (treatment group) to receiving VLNCs without messages (control group). Participants will: Complete a baseline survey and be randomly assigned to one of two groups: treatment (VLNCs + messages) or control (VLNCs only). Attend weekly study visits for surveys, breath samples, and receive supply of VLNCs , either with or without the messaging campaign. Complete brief daily surveys through text messages.
Description
This is a randomized, open label, controlled, two-site study to test the efficacy of a messaging campaign about reduced nicotine cigarettes and policy in combination with the use of very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs). Smokers from three groups: with past-month serious psychological distress (SPD), with low socioeconomic status (SES), and in neither category will complete a 1-week baseline and a 4-week study; they will be randomized to one of two conditions: 1. treatment condition, where participants receive VLNCs during weekly visits and are exposed to messages about VLNCs and reduced nicot…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 21+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * Age 21+ years * Current smoker (self-report as having smoked 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoking on 27+ days out of past 30, expired breath carbon monoxide \[CO\] ≥6ppm to assess regular smoking) * Can speak, read, and write in English * Available for period of study * Willing to try novel research cigarettes Exclusion Criteria: * Pregnancy or lactation * Member of the same household as a study subject * Unwilling to use research cigarettes as part of the trial
Interventions
- BehavioralVLNC messages
Participants will be exposed to messaging about VLNCs and reduced nicotine policy through multiple formats, including inserts placed in cigarette packs, printed advertisements, and video materials presented during their weekly visits.
- BehavioralControl message
Participants will be exposed to control messages, such as advertisements for bottled water, during their weekly visits.
Locations (2)
- Georgia State universityAtlanta, Georgia
- Emory UniversityAtlanta, Georgia