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Switching to E-cigarettes in Smokers Not Interested in Quitting

4th Generation E-cigarettes: Reducing Harm and Quitting Combustible Cigarettes in Dual Users

Status
Recruiting
Phases
Phase 3
Study type
Interventional
Source
ClinicalTrials.gov
Registry ID
NCT05703672
Enrollment
500
Registered
2023-01-30
Start date
2023-07-17
Completion date
2027-02-28
Last updated
2025-12-29

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Smoking Reduction

Brief summary

The objectives of this application are to 1) compare short- and long-term harm reduction and abuse liability potential of a nicotine salt pod-based electronic cigarettes (EC) in adult (AA) exclusive EC, dual cig-EC, and exclusive cig users, 2) characterize factors that predict who switches fully, partially, or not at all, and 3) examine if harm reduction can be further enhanced by treating dual users with varenicline (VAR) to eliminate cigarette smoking.

Detailed description

Adult cigarette smokers (n=500) who are interested in switching to a nicotine salt-based electronic cigarette (EC) and are not established EC users will receive a 6-week supply of the EC and assistance with switching. After six weeks, those that are dual users (n=221) will receive an additional 12 weeks of the EC and be randomized in a 2:1 fashion to receive 12 weeks of varenicline (VAR) or placebo (PBO) and additional counseling to support a complete switch. Follow-up for all participants will continue through week 52. The primary outcome is change in the potent lung carcinogen, NNAL, between exclusive EC, dual cig-EC, and exclusive cig users at week 6.

Interventions

0.5 mg once daily for days 1-3, 0.5mg twice daily for days 4-7 and 1.0 mg twice daily from day 8 through week 12.

DRUGPlacebo

One pill (white) once daily for days 1-3, one pill (white) twice daily for days 4-7 and one pill (blue) twice daily from day 8 through week 12.

OTHERElectronic cigarette

Nicotine salt pod based e-cigarette in 5% nicotine

Sponsors

University of Kansas Medical Center
Lead SponsorOTHER

Study design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
QUADRUPLE (Subject, Caregiver, Investigator, Outcomes Assessor)

Eligibility

Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
21 Years to No maximum
Healthy volunteers
Yes

Inclusion criteria

* ≥ 21 years of age * Smoke \>5 cigarettes per day * Smoked cigarettes for \> 6 months * Verified smoker (CO \> 5 ppm) * Functioning telephone * Interested in switching to EC * Willing to take varenicline and complete all study visits

Exclusion criteria

* Interested in quitting smoking * Use of smoking cessation pharmacotherapy in the month prior to enrollment * Use of other tobacco products in past 30 days (i.e., cigarillos, cigars, hookah, smokeless tobacco, pipes) * EC use on \> 4 of the past 30 days * Uncontrolled hypertension: BP \> 180 (systolic) or \> 105 (diastolic) * Heart-related event in the past 30 days * Medical contraindications to VAR: unstable cardiac condition (e.g., unstable angina or AMI) cardiac event, or stroke in the past 4 weeks; renal impairment; history of clinically significant allergic reactions; history of epilepsy or seizure disorder; hospitalized for psychiatric issue in past 30 days; active suicidal ideation * Pregnant, contemplating getting pregnant, or breastfeeding * Plans to move from Kansas City metro area during the treatment and follow-up phase * Another household member enrolled in the study

Design outcomes

Primary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Reduction in toxicant exposure as measured by NNAL (4- (methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanol) .Week 6Reduction in toxicant exposure as measured by NNAL excretion from baseline to week 6.

Secondary

MeasureTime frameDescription
Carbon Monoxide (CO) verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence from cigarettesWeek 12 post randomizationCO verified 7-day point prevalence abstinence from cigarettes at week 12 post randomization.

Countries

United States

Contacts

Primary ContactTricia Snow, MPH
psnow@kumc.edu816-398-8960

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026