ASPO Abstracts
Correlates of support for a nicotine reduction policy among smokers enrolled in a 20-week trial of very low nicotine content cigarettes
Category: Behavioral Science & Health Communication
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Study Purpose: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced a policy
proposal to limit the amount of nicotine in cigarettes to a minimally-addictive level. Within
the first year of implementation, an estimated 5 million smokers may quit smoking. In
surveys, smokers are generally supportive of such a policy, although most likely have
minimal exposure to very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes. Little is known about
the extent of support for a nicotine reduction policy among smokers with prolonged
exposure to VLNC cigarettes and if the nicotine reduction approach influences support.
Methods: Daily smokers (N=1250) were randomly assigned to an immediate nicotine
reduction condition (0.4 mg/g nicotine cigarettes; VLNC), a gradual nicotine reduction
condition (15.5 to 0.4 mg/g nicotine cigarettes; monthly nicotine dose changes), or a
control condition (15.5 mg/g nicotine cigarettes) for 20 weeks. Participants were asked if
they would "support or oppose a law that reduced the amount of nicotine in cigarettes, to
make cigarettes less addictive." Logistic regression analyses assessed if policy support
was affected by study condition, gender, race, age, education level, menthol status, and
interest in quitting as well as cigarette dependence, satisfaction, perceived risk,
withdrawal, and craving scores. Results: At week 20 (N=957 completers), 578
participants supported the policy (60.4%), 167 opposed (17.4%), and 212
responded "Don't know" (22.2%). Across conditions, support was greater among those
interested in quitting (OR=3.3, 95% CI=2.4, 4.4), older participants (OR= 1.01, 95% CI=1,
1.03) and those with increased cigarette risk perceptions (OR=1.05, 95% CI=1, 1.1).
Support was lower among males (OR=0.51, 95% CI=0.38, 0.69) and those with greater
dependence scores (OR=0.92, 95% CI=0.86, 0.98). Study condition was not associated
with support. Conclusions: The majority of participants supported the policy and
prolonged exposure to VLNC cigarettes did not affect support. Notably, smokers
interested in quitting were more likely to support the policy. Health communication
campaigns highlighting the potential health benefits of cigarette nicotine reduction (i.e.
increased quitting) could be advantageous if the FDA moves forward with policy
implementation.
Keywords: Cigarette smoking; Tobacco policy