Does Switching to Nicotine Containing Electronic Cigarettes Reduce Health Risk Markers

This project is a prospective parallel-group randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 104 current smokers who are willing to completely switch from their regular cigarettes to an electronic cigarette (SREC) for 6 weeks will be randomly allocated to use a SREC containing either 58 or 0 mg/ml nicotine in the liquid.

Following randomization to their assigned study product, participants will be supported in their switching efforts with regular contacts both in person at the Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and over the phone. The main measures will be recorded at two in-person visits after the randomization (switching) visit: (a) 3 weeks after switching and (b) 6 weeks after switching. All participants will also be followed up at 10 weeks by phone to identify whether they have continued to use electronic cigarettes or regular cigarettes and to assess their motivation to change.

Inclusion criteria

• Age 21 to 70
• Smoke ≥5 cigarettes per day for at least the past 12 months
• Smoke regular, filtered cigarettes or machine-rolled cigarettes with a filter
• Exhaled CO measurement ≥6 ppm at baseline visit
• No serious quit attempt in prior month
• Willing to completely cease cigarette consumption and switch to an e-cig
• Willing and able to attend regular visits over a 7-week period
• Able to read and write in English
• Able to understand and consent to study procedures

Exclusion criteria

• Unstable or significant medical condition such as COPD, kidney disease, or liver disease in the past 12 months
• Severe immune system disorders
• Women who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or nursing
• Use of any non-cigarette nicotine delivery product in the past 7 days
• Use of an e-cig for 5 or more days in the past 28 days or any use in the past 7 days
• Uncontrolled mental illness or substance abuse or inpatient treatment for these conditions in the past 6 months
• History of a seizure disorder or had a seizure in the past 12 months
• Currently or have ever taken medications prescribed to prevent seizures (such as Carbamazepine or Phenobarbital). Using seizure medications for off-label use (indications other than treatment for seizures) will not be included as an exclusion, these will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• History of difficulty providing or unwilling to provide blood samples (fainting, poor veins, anxiety, seizures)
• Surgery requiring general anesthesia in the past 6 weeks
• Use of marijuana or any illicit drug/prescription drugs for non-medical use daily/almost daily or weekly in the past 3 months per NIDA Quick Screen
• Use of hand-rolled, roll your own cigarettes
• Known allergy to propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin
• Other member of household currently participating in the study