This open-label study will explore the impact of varenicline on the process of switching from combustible cigarettes (CC) to an e-cigarette. Varenicline is currently the most efficacious single pharmacotherapy for smoking cessation, and through its actions as an agonist or partial agonist at various nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes, serves to diminish the rewarding effects of cigarette smoking. Diminishing the rewarding effects of smoking might facilitate the transition from CC to e-cigarettes. On the other hand, varenicline might attenuate the rewarding effects of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes as well, which could hamper the transition. Thus, the study will provide important information about the actions of varenicline on CC as well as e-cigarettes. There is no therapeutic intent in that smokers' nicotine/tobacco dependence will not be treated; the goal is to switch from one form of nicotine/tobacco dependence (CC) to dependence on a different tobacco product (e-cigarettes).
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
25
0.5 mg nightly for days 1-3, then 0.5 mg twice daily for days 4-7; then 1 mg twice daily for the remaining 11 weeks.
Each G6 prefilled cartomizer contains a 50/50 blend nicotine salt with 35mg nicotine strength.
Rose Research Center
Charlotte, North Carolina, United States
Rose Research Center
Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Number of Participant Reporting Continuous Complete Switching From Cigarettes to Halo G6
The primary switching outcome will be smoking abstinence during weeks 8-11 post-switching date. Complete switching from combustible cigarette use at each time point will be defined by a self-report of no cigarette smoking (not even a puff) since the prior session.
Time frame: Weeks 8-11
Number of Participants Confirmed (by Expired Air CO) to Have Switched From Cigarettes to Halo G6
The primary switching outcome will be smoking abstinence during weeks 8-11 post-switching date. Complete switching from combustible cigarette use at each time point confirmed by an expired air CO reading of less than 5 ppm.
Time frame: Weeks 8-11
Number of Participants Reporting Point Abstinence From Smoking Cigarettes at 6 Months Post-Switch
Point abstinence will be defined by a self-report of no cigarette smoking (not even a puff) in the last seven days at six months post-switch.
Time frame: 6 months
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