VLNC Messages for Smoking

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

+1 other location

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Waitlist Available

Sponsor: Georgia State University

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

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.

Research Team

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adult smokers, including those with recent serious psychological distress or low socioeconomic status. Participants must be willing to attend weekly study visits and complete daily surveys via text message.

Inclusion Criteria

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)

I am 21 years old or older.

Can speak, read, and write in English

See 2 more

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnancy or lactation

Member of the same household as a study subject

I am not willing to smoke research cigarettes.

Treatment Details

Interventions

Control message (Behavioral Intervention)
VLNC messages (Behavioral Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study tests if a messaging campaign about reduced nicotine cigarettes affects smoking behavior when combined with using very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs). It compares the effects of VLNCs with messages versus VLNCs alone.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: VLNC with message campaignExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive VLNCs during weekly visits and be exposed to messaging about VLNCs and reduced nicotine policy through multiple formats, including inserts placed in cigarette packs, printed advertisements, and videos presented during weekly visits.

Group II: VLNC onlyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive VLNCs during weekly visits but will not receive any messaging related to cigarettes or reduced nicotine policy. Instead, they will only be exposed to control messages, such as advertisements for bottled water, during weekly visits.