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Response to varying the nicotine content of cigarettes in vulnerable populations: an initial experimental examination of acute effects

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Abstract

Rationale

The purpose of this study was to begin researching the effects of very low nicotine content cigarettes in smokers especially vulnerable to dependence to assess their potential as a less dependence-producing alternative to current commercial cigarettes.

Methods

Participants were 26 adult, daily cigarette smokers from one of three populations: economically disadvantaged women of reproductive age (n = 9), opioid-dependent individuals (n = 11), and individuals with affective disorders (n = 6). Participants completed fourteen 2–4-h experimental sessions in a within-subjects research design. Sessions were conducted following brief smoking abstinence. Four research cigarettes varying in nicotine content (0.4, 2.4, 5.2, and 15.8 mg/g) were studied under double-blind conditions, assessing smoking topography, subjective effects, and relative reinforcing effects of varying doses in concurrent choice tests. Results were collapsed across vulnerable populations and analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA.

Results

No significant differences between doses were discernible in smoking topography. All doses were equi-effective at reducing nicotine withdrawal. Ratings of satisfaction from smoking were lower at the 0.4 compared to 15.8 mg/g dose. Participants preferred the 15.8 mg/g dose over the 0.4 and 2.4 but not the 5.2 mg/g doses in concurrent choice testing; no differences between the two lowest doses were noted.

Conclusions

All cigarettes effectively reduced nicotine withdrawal with no differences in smoking topography, suggesting minimal compensatory smoking. Dependence potential was lowest at the 0.4 mg/g dose. These initial results are promising regarding the feasibility of lowering nicotine content in cigarettes to very low levels in vulnerable populations without untoward effects.

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Acknowledgments

We extend deep appreciation to the research assistants and other support staff at the University of Vermont, Brown University, and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine for their tireless efforts in implementing this study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Vermont Center on Tobacco Regulatory Science, UHC Campus, 1 S Prospect St, Burlington, VT, 05401, USA

    Stephen T. Higgins, Sarah H. Heil, Stacey C. Sigmon, Diann E. Gaalema, Hanna Durand, Janice Y. Bunn, Jeff S. Priest, Christopher A. Arger, Cecilia L. Bergeria, Danielle R. Davis, Joanna M. Streck, Ivori Zvorsky & Ryan Redner

  2. Brown University, Providence, USA

    Jennifer W. Tidey & Mollie E. Miller

  3. Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA

    Maxine L. Stitzer, Ryan Vandrey & Lauren R. Pacek

  4. Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, USA

    Ryan Redner

Authors
  1. Stephen T. Higgins
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  2. Sarah H. Heil
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  3. Stacey C. Sigmon
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  4. Jennifer W. Tidey
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  7. Hanna Durand
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  8. Janice Y. Bunn
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  9. Jeff S. Priest
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  11. Mollie E. Miller
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  12. Cecilia L. Bergeria
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  13. Danielle R. Davis
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  14. Joanna M. Streck
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  15. Ivori Zvorsky
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  16. Ryan Redner
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  17. Ryan Vandrey
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  18. Lauren R. Pacek
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Stephen T. Higgins.

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Funding

This project was supported by a Tobacco Centers of Regulatory Science (TCORS) award (P50DA036114) from the National Institute on Drug Abuse and Food and Drug Administration. Preparation of the reported was also supported in part by a Centers of Biomedical Research Excellence award (P20GM103644) from the National Institute on General Medical Sciences. The content of this report is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or Food and Drug Administration.

Disclosures

The authors have nothing to declare related to this study and report.

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Higgins, S.T., Heil, S.H., Sigmon, S.C. et al. Response to varying the nicotine content of cigarettes in vulnerable populations: an initial experimental examination of acute effects. Psychopharmacology 234, 89–98 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-016-4438-z

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00213-016-4438-z

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