Very Low Nicotine Cigarettes in Smokers With Schizophrenia

Very Low Nicotine Cigarettes in Smokers With Schizophrenia

Smokers with serious mental illness including those with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder infrequently attempt and attain sustained smoking abstinence and have a 25-year shorter lifespan due to smoking-related illness. This study will examine whether reducing the nicotine content of cigarettes to non-addicting levels is a viable method of reducing smoking in smokers with serious mental illness. Smokers will be randomized to one of two experimental conditions: 1) very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes or 2) normal nicotine content (NNC) cigarettes. Participants will be assessed for patterns of tobacco use, biomarkers of exposure, subjective responses (e.g., satisfaction, craving, withdrawal symptoms), psychiatric symptoms, cognitive performance, smoking cue reactivity and smoking topography.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-70
• Schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder or bipolar disorder
• Smoke an average of at least 10 cigarettes per day for at least 1 year
• Breath carbon monoxide (CO) levels >8 ppm (if ≤ 8 ppm, then nicotine (NicAlert) Strip > 2)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pregnant or nursing
• Seeking treatment for smoking
• Medical contraindications