Actively Recruiting
Noncombustible Nicotine Delivery Systems as Potential Harm Reduction Tools for Persistent Cigarette Smokers
Led by Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine · Updated on 2026-03-12
200
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
182 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
A
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
Lead Sponsor
N
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This between-subjects study aims to evaluate whether e-cigarettes (ECIGS) versus oral nicotine pouches (ONPS) more readily substitute for combustible cigarettes among 200 cigarette smokers. After measuring baseline cigarette smoking rate, participants will be randomized to ECIGS or ONPS and be instructed to switch (versus smoking cigarettes) over a 6-week period. Relative reductions in biomarkers of exposure will be measured. ECIG- and ONP-associated subjective reward and the reinforcing value of ECIGS and ONPS relative to combustible cigarettes will be assessed as mechanisms.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
Noncombustible Nicotine Delivery Systems as Potential Harm Reduction Tools for Persistent Cigarette Smokers
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Able to communicate fluently in English (i.e. speaking, writing, and reading)
- Male and female smokers who are > 21 years of age and self-report smoking at least 5 cigarettes (menthol and/or non-menthol) per day for at least the last 6 months.
- 5 or more failed quit attempts and the use of smoking cessation medication on at least one prior attempt.
- Have a carbon monoxide (CO) greater than 10 ppm.
- Not using any forms of nicotine regularly other than cigarettes
- Be willing to switch to e-cigarettes or nicotine pouches for 6 weeks.
- Plan to live in the area for the duration of the study.
- Capable of giving written informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the combined consent and HIPAA form.
You will not qualify if you...
Smoking Behavior
-
Regular use of nicotine-containing products other than cigarettes (e.g., chewing tobacco, snuff, snus, cigars, e-cigs, etc.). Regular e-cigarette and nicotine pouch use is defined as greater than 5 days/past 30 days.
a. Participants agreeing to abstain from using nicotine-containing products other than cigarettes for the duration of the study will be considered eligible.
-
Current enrollment or plans to enroll in a smoking cessation program over the duration of the study.
-
Current use of smoking cessation medication
-
Provide a CO breath test reading less than 10 ppm at Intake.
Alcohol and Drug
- History of substance abuse (other than nicotine dependence) in the past 12 months.
- Current alcohol consumption that exceeds 20 standard drinks/week.
- Current use of recreational drugs (other than nicotine and cannabis)
- Breath alcohol reading (BrAC) greater than .000 at Intake.
Medical
- Women, including all individuals assigned as "female" at birth, who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy over the duration of the study period.
- Serious or unstable disease within the past year (e.g. cancer, heart disease). Applicable conditions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Principal Investigator.
Psychiatric
1. Lifetime history of schizophrenia or psychosis.
General Exclusion
- Past, current, anticipated, or pending enrollment in another research program over the study period that could potentially impact subject safety, study data, and/or the study design as determined by the Principal Investigator.
- Any medical condition, illness, disorder, adverse event (AE), or concomitant medication that could compromise participant safety or significantly impact study performance as determined by the Principal Investigator. Subjects may be deemed ineligible for any of the aforementioned reasons at any point throughout the study, as well as during the initial telephone screen.
- Significant non-compliance with protocol and/or study design as determined by the Principal Investigator. Subjects may be deemed ineligible at any point throughout the study.
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Janet Audrain-McGovern, Ph.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
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