Personal Factors, Product Characteristics, and Changes in Biomarkers of Exposure among Cigarette Smokers Who Switch to Noncombustible Tobacco Products
Principal Investigator: Nicholas Felicione
Funding Mechanism: National Institutes of Health - Grant
ID Number: 1R21CA268198-01
Award Date: 9/20/2021
Institution: Roswell Park Cancer Institute Corporation
The goal of this study is to evaluate the factors associated with transitioning from cigarettes to noncombustible tobacco products (e.g., smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes) and assess the potential of noncombustibles as a harm reduction strategy. Researchers will evaluate four possible trajectories -- continued smoking (least optimal outcome), complete cessation (most optimal outcome), exclusive noncombustible use (possible harm reduction) or dual/poly tobacco use (unlikely harm reduction) -- through an analysis of Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study data. Study aims are: (1) to identify personal characteristics (e.g., sociodemographic characteristics, smoking history, harm perceptions, exposure to messaging) associated with switching from cigarettes to noncombustibles; (2) to describe product characteristics (e.g., cigarette characteristics, noncombustible characteristics such as flavor and nicotine content) associated with switching; and (3) to examine health outcomes and exposure biomarkers in smokers who have switched. Findings will provide new information related to switching from cigarettes to noncombustible tobacco products.