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Investigating Subjective Effects and Nicotine Pharmacokinetics of Mentholated Smokeless Tobacco Products in Current Users

Principal Investigators: Eric Claus, Steven Meredith, and Kia Jackson

Funding Mechanism: Research Contract

ID number: HHSF2232013100331

Award Date: 9/20/2017

Institution: Lovelace Biomedical and Environmental Research Institute

More information about the effects of smokeless tobacco (ST) product menthol content on the absorption of nicotine in the human body and the effect of nicotine on physiological outcomes (e.g., heart rate) would be useful. This project will examine nicotine absorption as well as the subjective and physiological effects of mentholated ST products in current users. A non-mentholated commercial ST product will be amended to produce ST products with varying levels of menthol. Adult ST users will attend five laboratory sessions and receive a prescribed amount of ST at each session under the following conditions: (1) usual brand ST, (2) non-mentholated ST, (3) ST with low menthol content, (4) ST with medium menthol content, and (5) ST with high menthol content. Physiological measures (e.g., heart rate, blood pressure) and subjective measures (e.g., self-reports of how much participants like the product) will be assessed before, during, and after prescribed use. Researchers will also collect blood and urine samples at each session to assess plasma nicotine concentration and other biomarkers of exposure. Study findings will provide new information that may help inform regulatory activities.