This pilot study will investigate within-person changes in smoking behavior when current adult smokers are systematically switched from smoking menthol cigarettes to non-menthol cigarettes.

The goals of this project include evaluating the feasibility of a cigarette switching paradigm to examine how switching adult smokers from menthol to non-menthol cigarettes impacts smoking behavior and satisfaction. Smoking behavior will be measured by self-reported total number of cigarettes and time to first cigarette in the morning, assessed during the period of menthol smoking (week 1) and again after switching to non-menthol cigarettes (weeks 2, 3). Smoking satisfaction will be measured by self-reported ratings of the cigarettes, assessed during the period of menthol smoking (week 1) and again after switching to non-menthol cigarettes (weeks 2, 3).

Inclusion Criteria:

• 18 or older
• Able to read English
• Cigarette smoker

Exclusion Criteria:

• Seeking smoking cessation treatment
• Serious psychiatric or medical condition
• Use of other drugs
• Unable or unwilling to complete study protocol

Of the 33 participants who were enrolled, four dropped out prior to the intervention phase where they switched from menthol to non-menthol cigarettes, so the final sample for analysis was n=29.

Data were collected while participants were enrolled in the study (duration=4 weeks). Participants were enrolled over a one-year period.

Adverse events were assessed according to clinicaltrials.gov definitions and in accordance with systematic assessment guidelines by the university review board for grading the severity of adverse events.

• Analyses may be under-powered, a larger replication trial is needed
• Some participants continued smoking menthol cigarettes during the study
• Cigarettes were provided to encourage protocol adherence which may impact smoking behavior