Role of an E-cigarette on Smoking Displacement in Smokers With Schizophrenia

This is a prospective 3 month pilot study to observe cigarette use behavior among people with a schizophrenia spectrum disorder diagnosis who smoke conventional tobacco cigarettes, do not intend to reduce or quit smoking, and are invited to use an e-cigarette. The investigators are interested to know if e-cigarette use is associated with cigarette smoking displacement. Displacement is defined as switching from conventional tobacco cigarettes to e-cigarettes. The investigators will also monitor for physical and mental health, including blood pressure, weight, and scores from the Scale for the Assessment of Negative Symptoms (SANS) and the Scale for the Assessment of Positive Symptoms (SAPS) as well as any reported adverse events participants' feel are attributed to e-cigarette use and participants' perceptions of the sensory experience associated with e-cigarette use.

Inclusion criteria

Clinical diagnosis of a schizophrenia spectrum disorder

Non-hospitalized persons

Regular smokers who report smoking 20 or more cigarettes per day who have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime, and are not intending to reduce or quit

Has agreed to try an e-cigarette

Must be able to provide written informed consent

Must be able to read, write and communicate in English proficiently

Must have access to a computer with internet

Must have the ability to work a computer and navigate the internet easily

Exclusion criteria

Non-smokers Persons without a schizophrenia spectrum disorder diagnosis

Hospitalized persons

Cardio vascular disease

Respiratory disease

Use of smokeless tobacco or any other tobacco products besides cigarettes.

Use of nicotine replacement therapy or other smoking cessation pharmaco-therapies within the last 3 months

Pregnancy or breastfeeding