The study's major aim is to investigate the ability of a commercial Electronic Nicotine Delivery Device (E-Cigarette) loaded with low dose nicotine to induce long-term smoking reduction/abstinence in smokers unwilling to quit. Secondary aims are to investigate changes in withdrawal symptoms and cravings and to examine whether concomitant use of the E-Cigarette and smoking is safe. The study will monitor smoking reduction/abstinence effects, changes in withdrawal symptoms, and adverse events of a currently marketed device in Italy ("Categoria" electronic cigarette) using initially for 6 weeks "ORIGINAL" 7.4 mg nicotine cartridges followed by a further 6 weeks of "CATEGORIA" 5.2 mg nicotine cartridges. The primary hypothesis is that the E-Cigarette used in a structured protocol is a safe device that allows smoking reduction or abstinence in smokers possibly by suppressing withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
The electronic cigarette (E-Cigarette) is an electronic nicotine delivery systems designed for the purpose of nicotine delivery to the respiratory system where nor tobacco nor combustion are necessary for its operation. For these reasons, it is possible that this product may be safer than cigarettes. Marketing claims also include that they can be useful smoking cessation aids. Although E-Cigarette may produce lung delivery of nicotine similar to that of tobacco cigarettes and reproduces the gesture component associated with tobacco smoking, very little is known about the effect of E-Cigarette on the smoking habits of regular tobacco smokers. Therefore, we designed a prospective observational study consisting of 8 office-based visits (a baseline visit and a 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12-weeks and a final visit at 24-weeks) to monitor possible modifications in the smoking habits of a group of well characterized regular smokers experimenting the e-cigarette focusing on long-term smoking reduction/abstinence, changes in withdrawal symptoms/cravings and adverse events. Specifically, 100 smokers will be given "Categoria" electronic cigarette initially loaded with "ORIGINAL" 7.4 mg nicotine cartridges for 6 weeks followed by "CATEGORIA" 5.2 mg nicotine cartridges for a further 6 weeks. A final follow up visit will be carried out at 24 weeks.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
100
Dipartimento di Medicina Interna e Specialistica; Centro per la Prevenzione e Cura del Tabagismo (CPCT)
Catania, Italy
Sustained 50% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day at week-12 from baseline
50% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day documented at each study visit (week-2, -4, -6, -8, -10, and -12)
Time frame: week-12
Sustained smoking abstinence at week-12
Sustained smoking abstinence at week-12, defined as complete abstinence from tobacco smoking (not even a puff) for the 14 days period prior to week-12 study visit; exhaled CO levels will be measured to objectively verify smoking status.
Time frame: week 12
Sustained 80% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day at week-12 from baseline
80% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day documented at each study visit (week-2, -4, -6, -8, -10, and -12).
Time frame: week-12
Sustained smoking abstinence at week-24
Sustained smoking abstinence at week-24, defined as complete abstinence from tobacco smoking (not even a puff) for the 30 days period prior to week-24 study visit; exhaled CO levels will be measured to objectively verify smoking status.
Time frame: week 24
Sustained 50% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day at week-24 from baseline
50% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day documented at each study visit (week-2, -4, -6, -8, -10, -12 and -24).
Time frame: week-24
Sustained 80% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day at week-24 from baseline
80% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day documented at each study visit (week-2, -4, -6, -8, -10, -12 and -24).
Time frame: week-24
Withdrawal suppression (by MNWS)
Time frame: 24 weeks
Cravings reduction (by VAS)
Time frame: 24 wks
Reported adverse events rate from baseline
Time frame: 24 wks
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