Very-Low Nicotine Cigarettes and Non-Daily Smokers

The overall goal of the study is to assess the effects of switching to Very-Low-Nicotine-Content cigarettes (VLNCCs) among non-daily, or intermittent smokers (ITS). This is a two-arm randomized study with an own-cigarette baseline control. After a 2-week baseline period smoking their own cigarettes, 455 ITS will be randomized (double-blind) for 10 weeks to smoke experimental cigarettes, either: (a) normal nicotine content cigarettes (NNCCs; 0.8 mg) or (b) VLNCCs (0.07 mg), each matched to menthol status of subjects' preferred brand. ITS are more likely to be African-American (AA) smokers; thus AA smokers will be oversampled (to one third of the total sample). Change in cigarette consumption is the primary end-point, and biomarkers of smoke exposure and measures of smoking intensity are also assessed.

Inclusion criteria

• age 18 years or older, and smoking cigarettes for at least 3 years
• smoking, on average, 4-27 days per month
• smoking at current rate for at least the previous 3 months
• willingness to try novel cigarettes

Exclusion criteria

• active plans to quit or actively seeking smoking cessation treatment in the next 3 months
• severe psychiatric disorders that may interfere with study procedures
• current, regular (i.e., monthly or more) use of nicotine replacement or other tobacco products, by self-report
• exclusive use of roll-your-own cigarettes (since the study uses manufactured cigarettes)
• [for female participants] being pregnant or breastfeeding, or planning to become pregnant, by self-report
• current use of medications such as Chantix (varenicline), Zyban, Wellbutrin, or bupropion for any purpose, including stopping smoking
• occurrence of heart attack, stroke, or angina in the past 3 months