The purpose of this study is to determine whether the abuse liability of cigarettes with altered composition (cigarettes differing in composition; e.g., tar levels, amount of sugar, casings) is reduced relative to standard composition cigarettes.
The proposed study will determine the abuse liability of altered composition cigarettes compared to standard cigarettes using a behavioral economics abuse-liability approach. Behavioral economic demand analysis constitutes a comprehensive examination of drug reinforcement and abuse liability. Laboratory determination of cigarette consumption under various response requirements will occur before and after 3 weeks of at-home exposure, with participants randomized to cigarettes varying in composition to determine the role of experience on the abuse-liability of various cigarettes. Abuse liability will be assessed by 2 essential demand metrics: lower demand intensity and increased demand elasticity, as well as other demand metrics and subjective ratings of "liking". The study will also determine the degree to which altered composition cigarettes may substitute for standard composition cigarettes - testing whether an altered composition policy would achieve the goal of reducing standard cigarette consumption.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Masking
QUADRUPLE
Enrollment
76
This double-blind study will systematically determine the abuse liability of altered composition cigarettes using a behavioral economics abuse-liability approach. Altered composition cigarettes (e.g., cigarettes differing in casings, sugars, tar levels, moisture) may result in decreased intake and decreased dependence, although critical questions remain regarding the abuse-liability of altered composition cigarettes, whether exposure to these cigarettes reduces use, and whether altered composition cigarettes will substitute for standard cigarettes. The addictive effects and abuse liability of altered composition cigarettes, therefore, are not well understood, and will be tested in this study.
Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Bayview Campus
Baltimore, Maryland, United States
Demand Intensity: Number of cigarette puffs obtained at the lowest fixed ratio value
The primary behavioral economic demand curve metric (demand intensity, i.e., number of cigarette puffs obtained at the lowest fixed ratio value assessed) derived from cigarette consumption in the laboratory
Time frame: 3 weeks after initiation of home exposure period
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