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Independent and combined effects of very low nicotine cigarette messages and e-cigarette messages: a randomised clinical trial.
- Source :
-
Tobacco control [Tob Control] 2024 Apr 25. Date of Electronic Publication: 2024 Apr 25. - Publication Year :
- 2024
- Publisher :
- Ahead of Print
-
Abstract
- Background: USA is considering reducing nicotine in cigarettes to non-addictive levels, coupled with promoting alternative nicotine delivery products (eg, e-cigarettes). However, effective communication is needed to reduce misperceptions about very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) being less harmful than regular cigarettes.<br />Methods: In 2022-2023, we conducted a four-group randomised clinical trial with a national probability sample from an online panel (971 adults who smoked cigarettes exclusively, 472 adults who dual used cigarettes and e-cigarettes and 458 adults aged 18-29 who had never smoked). Participants were randomised (parallel assignment) to one message condition: (1) VLNCs as harmful but easier to quit than regular cigarettes (n=468), (2) those who are not ready to quit should consider switching to e-cigarettes as less harmful alternatives (n=484), (3) combined (VLNC and e-cigarette messages; n=476) or (4) control condition (ie, water ads), n=473. The primary outcome was perceived absolute harm of VLNCs.<br />Results: Perceived harm of VLNCs was higher in the VLNC condition compared with the e-cigarette and control conditions, and higher in the combined condition compared with the e-cigarette condition (adjusted p<0.05). Among adults who dual used, intention to switch to e-cigarettes was higher in the VLNC condition than the e-cigarette, combined or control conditions (adjusted p<0.05).<br />Conclusions: VLNC messages reduced the misperception that VLNCs are less harmful than cigarettes, but adding messages about e-cigarettes did not enhance desired outcomes. These VLNC messages can be considered during the rollout of a reduced nicotine policy.<br />Trial Registration: NCT05506046.<br />Competing Interests: Competing interests: DLA has received funds for work done for the World Health Organization Tobacco Free Initiative, as a Special Government Employee of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, as a consultant for Pfizer, as an employee of Cherokee National Operational Systems and as an independent contractor for MK Consulting.<br /> (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 1468-3318
- Database :
- MEDLINE
- Journal :
- Tobacco control
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 38664002
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1136/tc-2023-058556