Impact of Cigarette and E-cigarette Menthol Regulation on Current Smokers of Menthol Cigarettes

Description

In a 2x2 design, current menthol smokers (N=240) will complete a baseline period before being assigned to a cigarette (menthol or non-menthol) and e-cigarette condition (menthol or tobacco-flavored e-liquid) and receiving a 7-week supply of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The study builds upon our well-established methodology for simulating tobacco regulatory policies. To model a ban, smokers will be instructed to only use their assigned products. Primary outcomes include cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use during Week 6. However, because a menthol ban may impact the ability to abstain from smoking, the investigators will incentivize participants to abstain from smoking during Week 7 (continued e-cigarette use allowed) and assess the time to first lapse. Participants will complete daily electronic diaries assessing tobacco product use throughout, which will be corroborated by biomarkers for menthol, nicotine, and smoke. Finally, to maximize the utility of these data for FDA regulation, the investigators will assess whether any demographic or baseline smoking characteristics moderate the observed treatment effects, calibrate the treatment effects to the US adult menthol smoking population, and model the effects of menthol regulation in cigarettes and e-cigarettes on smoking and vaping-attributable deaths and life-years lost.

Conditions

Smoking Prevention and Control

Study Overview

Study Details

Study overview

In a 2x2 design, current menthol smokers (N=240) will complete a baseline period before being assigned to a cigarette (menthol or non-menthol) and e-cigarette condition (menthol or tobacco-flavored e-liquid) and receiving a 7-week supply of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The study builds upon our well-established methodology for simulating tobacco regulatory policies. To model a ban, smokers will be instructed to only use their assigned products. Primary outcomes include cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use during Week 6. However, because a menthol ban may impact the ability to abstain from smoking, the investigators will incentivize participants to abstain from smoking during Week 7 (continued e-cigarette use allowed) and assess the time to first lapse. Participants will complete daily electronic diaries assessing tobacco product use throughout, which will be corroborated by biomarkers for menthol, nicotine, and smoke. Finally, to maximize the utility of these data for FDA regulation, the investigators will assess whether any demographic or baseline smoking characteristics moderate the observed treatment effects, calibrate the treatment effects to the US adult menthol smoking population, and model the effects of menthol regulation in cigarettes and e-cigarettes on smoking and vaping-attributable deaths and life-years lost.

The Impact of Menthol Regulation for Cigarettes and E-cigarettes on Tobacco Use Patterns for Current Menthol Smokers

Impact of Cigarette and E-cigarette Menthol Regulation on Current Smokers of Menthol Cigarettes

Condition
Smoking Prevention and Control
Intervention / Treatment

-

Contacts and Locations

Charleston

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, United States, 29425

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

For general information about clinical research, read Learn About Studies.

Eligibility Criteria

  • 1. adults (21+) who a) have been smoking at least 5 cigarettes daily for one year
  • 2. usual brand (the brand used most often) is mentholated
  • 3. have a smartphone that can receive text messages and access the internet (necessary for diary completion).
  • 1. other tobacco and pharmacotherapy criteria
  • 2. health and safety criteria
  • 3. planning to move out of the area within the next 3 months

Ages Eligible for Study

21 Years to

Sexes Eligible for Study

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Collaborators and Investigators

Medical University of South Carolina,

Study Record Dates

2027-08-31