Effects of Narratives on Demand for Low and High Ventilated Cigarettes and Substitution for Alternative Products

Effects of Narratives on Demand for Low and High Ventilated Cigarettes and Substitution for Alternative Products

This study will investigate the effects of narratives on demand for low and high ventilated cigarettes and substitution for alternative products in the Experimental Tobacco Marketplace.

An important aim of tobacco control is to reduce demand for the most harmful products. One product feature that could be changed to benefit public health is cigarette filter ventilation. A recent review examined the effects of cigarette filter ventilation and concluded that filter ventilation, by changing how a cigarette burns, yields more mutagens and carcinogens, and results in greater puff volume and possibly depth of inhalation, which has led to increases in peripheral lung adenocarcinomas. This study will use a novel method, the Experimental Tobacco Marketplace (ETM), to compare the impact of a narrative and a factsheet on the negative consequences of filter ventilation on tobacco product purchases. High-ventilated cigarette smokers will complete multiple scenarios in the ETM.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Provide informed consent
• Be at least 21 years of age or older
• Provide a breath sample for measuring carbon monoxide (CO ≥ 8 ppm)
• Stable tobacco use patterns for at least three months
• Be willing to sample the study cigarettes (high- and low-ventilated cigarettes)
• Report smoking a high-ventilated cigarette (>= 20% ventilation)
• Report smoking at least 10 cigarettes per day

Exclusion Criteria:

• Have plans to move out of the area
• Have a serious or unstable physical or mental health condition
• Taking a tobacco cessation medication or medication that interferes with nicotine metabolism, motivation or reinforcement
• Report concrete, immediate plans to alter/quit using their usual nicotine products at the beginning of the study

Note: Participants may be withdrawn from the study after providing consent if they submit an invalid breath sample (CO ≥ 8 ppm).