Project 2: Strategies for Reducing Nicotine Content in Cigarettes

Overview

About this study

The main goal of this project is to compare two different approaches to reducing levels of nicotine in cigarettes: an immediate reduction in nicotine content in cigarettes to non-addictive levels or a gradual reduction in nicotine content in cigarettes to non-addictive levels. These two approaches will then be contrasted to a group that continues to smoke cigarettes with nicotine content similar to conventional cigarettes.

Participation eligibility

Participant eligibility includes age, gender, type and stage of disease, and previous treatments or health concerns. Guidelines differ from study to study, and identify who can or cannot participate. There is no guarantee that every individual who qualifies and wants to participate in a trial will be enrolled. Contact the study team to discuss study eligibility and potential participation.

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Age 18+
  2. Daily smokers who smoke an average of at least five cigarettes per day for at least 1 year
  3. Breath CO levels > 8 ppm (if ≤ 8 ppm, then NicAlert Strip level must indicate regular smoking)

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Planned quit date in the next 30 days
  2. Currently seeking treatment for smoking cessation
  3. Currently using nicotine replacement therapies or other pharmacotherapies as cessation aid (non-cessation intermittent use acceptable)
  4. A quit attempt in the past 30 days resulting in greater than 3 days of abstinence
  5. Using other tobacco products or e-cigarettes more than 9 days in the past 30 days
  6. Significant unstable medical conditions (Any significant change in a serious medical condition occurring during the past 3 months including, cardiovascular disease, COPD, and cancer, as determined by the licensed medical professional at each site)
  7. Unstable psychiatric conditions (Any significant change in psychiatric symptoms during the past 3 months as determined by the licensed medical professional at each site)
  8. Schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
  9. Psychiatric medication changes (e.g., new prescriptions, changes in dosages, or discontinuation of medications) in the past 3 months that was a result of negative changes in symptoms.
  10. Positive toxicology screen for any of the following drugs: cocaine, opiates, methadone, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, amphetamines, methamphetamines, and PCP
    1. Marijuana will be tested for but will not be an exclusionary criterion.
    2. Participants with valid prescriptions for opiates, benzodiazepines, barbiturates, amphetamines or methadone will not be excluded.
    3. Participants failing the toxicology screen will be allowed to re-screen once.
  11. Blood alcohol level > 0.01
    • Participants failing the blood alcohol screen will be allowed to re-screen once.
  12. Binge drinking alcohol (more than 9 days in the past 30 days, 4/5 drinks per day (female/male))
  13. Pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding
  14. Predominant use of 'roll your own cigarettes'
  15. CO reading >80 ppm
  16. Systolic BP greater than or equal to 160
    • Participants failing for blood pressure will be allowed to re-screen once.
  17. Diastolic BP greater than or equal to 100
    • Participants failing for blood pressure will be allowed to re-screen once.
  18. Systolic BP below 90 and symptomatic (dizziness, extreme fatigue, difficulty thinking, inability to stand or walk, feeling faint)
    • Participants failing for blood pressure will be allowed to re-screen once.
  19. Diastolic BP below 50 and symptomatic (dizziness, extreme fatigue, difficulty thinking, inability to stand or walk, feeling faint)
    • Participants failing for blood pressure will be allowed to re-screen once.
  20. Heart rate greater than or equal to 105 bpm
    • Participants failing for heart rate will be allowed to re-screen once.
  21. Heart rate lower than 45 bpm and symptomatic (dizziness, extreme fatigue, difficulty thinking, inability to stand or walk, feeling faint)
    • Participants failing for heart rate will be allowed to re-screen once.
  22. Indicating any suicidal ideation in the past month, suicide attempts in the past 5 years (if within past 5 to 10 years, requires physician approval), or score of >4 on the MINI suicide subscale
  23. Household member enrolled in the study concurrently.
  24. Inability to independently read and comprehend the consent form and other written study materials and measures because participants are required to complete parts of the protocol at home independently.
  25. Participated in prior study that involved reduced nicotine content cigarettes.
  26. Having participated in a research study during the past three months in a study that would impact baseline smoking or response to study products.
  27. Currently taking the following anticonvulsant medications:
    1. Phenytoin [Brand Name: Dilantin]
    2. Carbamazepine [Brand Name: Tegretol, Carbatrol, Equetro, Epitol]
    3. Oxcarbazepine [Brand Name: Trileptal]
    4. Primidone [Brand Name: Mysoline]
    5. Phenobarbital
  28. Currently taking the following medication:
    1. Bendamustine (Treanda)
    2. Clopidogrel (Plavix)
    3. Clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo)
    4. Erlotinib (Tarceva)
    5. Flecainide (Tambocor)
    6. Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
    7. Irinotecan (Camptosar)
    8. Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
    9. Ropinirole (Requip)
    10. Tacrine (Cognex)
    11. Theophylline (Theo Dur, etc.)

Participating Mayo Clinic locations

Study statuses change often. Please contact the study team for the most up-to-date information regarding possible participation.

Mayo Clinic Location Status Contact

Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz.

Mayo Clinic principal investigator

Scott Leischow, Ph.D.

Closed for enrollment

Contact information:

Cancer Center Clinical Trials Referral Office

855-776-0015

More information

Publications

Publications are currently not available

Additional contact information

Cancer-related trials contact form

Phone: 855-776-0015 (toll-free)

International patient clinical studies questions