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Completed

NCT Number: NCT05236894

Appeal of Nicotine Pouches Versus Cigarettes in the Ohio Appalachia Population

This clinical trial estimates the abuse liability of nicotine pouches with varying nicotine concentrations relative to cigarette smoking in Appalachian, Ohio and Ohio smokers. Nicotine pouches are a novel tobacco product with potential to reduce or increase the harm of tobacco use. Evaluating nicotine pouches abuse liability among smokers in Ohio including the unique demographic of Appalachia may clarify the public health effect of NPs in Appalachian Ohio and across Ohio. Results may inform public health efforts, policy, and clinical care aimed at reducing tobacco-related disparities.

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Key information

Age range

21 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Early Phase 1

Primary location

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States

About this study

Aim 1:

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To estimate the abuse liability of nicotine pouches (NPs) with varying nicotine concentrations relative to cigarette smoking.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To clarify the public health effect of NPs in Appalachian Ohio.

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To estimate the abuse liability of NPs with varying nicotine concentrations relative to cigarette smoking by measuring nicotine pharmacokinetics.

II. To estimate the abuse liability of NPs with varying nicotine concentrations relative to cigarette smoking by measuring subjective effects.

III. To estimate the abuse liability of NPs with varying nicotine concentrations relative to cigarette smoking by measuring intentions to use and switch to NPs.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 arms.

ARM I: Patients receive lower dose nicotine pouch orally (PO) over 30 minutes at visits 1, 2, and 3.

ARM II: Patients receive higher dose nicotine pouch PO over 30 minutes at visits 1, 2, and 3.

ARM III: Patients smoke usual brand of cigarettes, taking one puff every 30 seconds over 5 minutes at visits 1, 2, and 3.

Aim 2:

PRIMARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To understand the pharmacokinetic difference between tobacco-derived and synthetic NPs.

SECONDARY OBJECTIVE:

I. To clarify the public health effect of NPs on adult smokers

EXPLORATORY OBJECTIVES:

I. To understand the differences in abuse liability between tobacco-derived and synthetic NPs by measuring nicotine pharmacokinetics.

II. To understand the differences in abuse liability between tobacco-derived and synthetic NPs by measuring subjective effects.

III. To estimate the abuse liability of tobacco-derived vs. synthetic NPs by measuring intentions to use and switch to NPs.

OUTLINE: Patients are randomized to 1 of 3 arms.

ARM I: Patients receive a 3mg dose nicotine pouch orally (PO) over 30 minutes at visits 1, 2, and 3.

ARM II: Patients receive a 3mg dose nicotine pouch PO over 30 minutes at visits 1, 2, and 3.

ARM III: Patients receive a 3mg dose nicotine pouch PO over 30 minutes at visits 1, 2, and 3.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Aim 1 Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 21 years or older.
  • Reside in an Ohio Appalachian county.
  • Willing to complete study procedures, including abstaining from all tobacco, nicotine, and marijuana for 12 hours before clinic visits.
  • Ability to read and speak English.
  • Smoke at least 5 cigarettes per day for the past 30 days.

Exclusion criteria

  • Use tobacco products other than cigarettes >10 days per month.
  • Use NP in the past 3 months.
  • Unstable or significant psychiatric conditions (past and stable conditions will be allowed).
  • Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • History of cardiac event or distress within the past 3 months.
  • Currently attempting to quit all tobacco use.
  • Self-reported diagnosis of lung disease including asthma (if uncontrolled or worse than usual), cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Aim 2 Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age 21 years or older.
  • Reside in a Ohio.
  • Willing to complete study procedures, including abstaining from all tobacco, nicotine, and marijuana for 12 hours before clinic visits.
  • Ability to read and speak English.
  • Smoke at least 5 cigarettes per day for the past 30 days.

Exclusion criteria

  • Use tobacco products other than cigarettes >10 days per month.
  • Use NP in the past 3 months.
  • Unstable or significant psychiatric conditions (past and stable conditions will be allowed).
  • Pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
  • History of cardiac event or distress within the past 3 months.
  • Currently attempting to quit all tobacco use.
  • Self-reported diagnosis of lung disease including asthma (if uncontrolled or worse than usual), cystic fibrosis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Treatment and study plan

Cigarette Smoking

Behavioral

Smoke preferred brand of cigarette

Nicotine Oral Pouch

Drug

Given lower dose nicotine pouch

Other names: ZYN

Questionnaire Administration

Other

Ancillary studies

Primary outcomes

  1. Evaluate plasma nicotine concentration at t=30 minutes for each product.

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

Secondary outcomes

  1. Aim 1: Public health effect of NPs in Appalachian Ohio - if NPs can be used as a substitute for cigarette smoking

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Data collected will show if NPs are a viable substitute for cigarette smoking.

  2. Evaluate plasma nicotine concentrations at t=5 through t=90 minutes

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

  3. Evaluate withdrawal relief at t=5 through t=90 minutes

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    We measure withdrawal relief using the Minnesota Withdrawal Scale (MNWS). We administer this questionnaire at each timepoint along the standardized scale of t=0, t=5, t=15, t=30, t=60 and t=90. The MNWS includes a minimum value of "none" and a maximum value or "severe." The higher scores indicate increased withdrawal symptoms and lower scores indicate lessened or no withdrawal symptoms.

  4. Evaluate product appeal across all 3 products

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Product appeal will be assessed using several scales, including the Modified E-Cigarette Smoking Questionnaire (mCEQ), the Product Evaluation Scale (PES), the Adapted Drug Effects Liking Scale, and the Study Product Effects Liking Scale which are administered after the final timepoint of each study visit. For both the mCEQ and PES, the minimum scale value is "not at all" and the maximum scale value is "extremely." Higher scores can mean both better or worse depending on the question. Ex: "Was using your smokeless tobacco satisfying?" and "Did using your smokeless tobacco make you nauseous?" are both questions on each scale, so a higher score would vary in meaning based on the question. For the Adapted Drug Effects Liking and Study Product Effects Liking scales, minimum values include "not at all" and maximum value includes "very pleasant." With the exception of one question on the Study Product Effects Liking Scale, a higher score indicates increased enjoyment of the product.

Other outcomes

  1. Aim 1 and 2: Nicotine pharmacokinetics

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Will use linear or logistic mixed effects regression models (with a random subject effect) to assess the main effects of product on plasma nicotine delivery.

  2. Subjective effects - likability and substitutability of product compared to cigarette smoking will be assessed

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Will use linear or logistic mixed effects regression models (with a random subject effect) to assess the main effects of product on subjective effects.

  3. Aim 1: Intentions to use and switch to NPs - quit intentions will be assessed using a 10 question survey

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Will use linear or logistic mixed effects regression models (with a random subject effect) to assess the main effects of product behavioral intentions.

  4. Aim 2: Public health effect of NPs in adult smokers - if NPs can be used as a substitute for cigarette smoking.

    Time frame: Up to 6 months

    Public health impact of NPs in adult smokers as an alternative for cigarette smoking.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Examining the Appeal of Nicotine Pouches in Ohio Appalachia

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2023
Study completion
2023
First posted
Feb 11, 2022
Registry last updated
May 21, 2024

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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