RecruitingNot ApplicableNCT07161050

Effects of a Low Nicotine Standard and Tobacco Prices on Illegal Cigarette Purchasing

Sponsor

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Enrollment

70 participants

Start Date

Dec 1, 2025

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Conditions

Cigarette Smoking

Summary

This study will investigate the effects of a very-low-nicotine cigarette (VLNC) standard, e-cigarette price, and illegal cigarette price on illegal product purchasing and alternative product use in a virtual marketplace.

Eligibility

Min Age: 21 Years

Inclusion Criteria1

Provide informed consent Be at least 21 years of age or older Provide a breath sample for measuring carbon monoxide (CO ≥ 8 ppm) Stable tobacco use patterns for at least two months

Exclusion Criteria6

For exclusive cigarette smokers:
Smoke at least 10 cigarettes daily and do not use NVPs regularly (no more than 9 times in the last month).
For dual cigarette/NVP users:
Smoke at least 10 cigarettes daily and use NVPs at least 3 times in a week (report use of closed nicotine salt system)
For both groups:
Have plans to move out of the area Have a serious or unstable physical or mental health condition Taking a tobacco cessation medication or medication that interferes with nicotine metabolism, motivation or reinforcement Report concrete, immediate plans to alter/quit using their usual nicotine products at the beginning of the study Being pregnant or lactating

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Interventions

BEHAVIORALNicotine Content

In the full nicotine conditions, participants' preferred cigarettes and NVP products will be available in the LETM and preferred cigarettes will be available in the iETM. In the low nicotine conditions, a ban will permit only VLNCs in the LETM and preferred cigarettes will be available in the iETM.

BEHAVIORALIllegal cigarette price

At each level of nicotine content, we will manipulate the price of illegal cigarettes (1xMP, 1.5x MP, 2x MP). MP is market price.

BEHAVIORALE-cigarette price

At each level of nicotine content and illegal cigarette price, we will manipulate the price of e-cigarettes (1xMP, 1.5x MP, 2x MP). MP is the market price.