Tobacco-free oral nicotine pouches (such as Zyn brand) are a less harmful alternative to cigarette smoking. Pouches, however, contain nicotine, and addictive substance that is not risk-free. The present study is evaluating how well nicotine pouches, at different nicotine levels, help people switch away from smoking cigarettes. People who smoke cigarettes will be asked to answer questions about their tobacco product use and provide breath samples and cheek swab samples at an in-person visit to MUSC Charleston. Participants will then be provided with a 28-day supply of nicotine pouches, and will be asked to switch from smoking to pouches over the course of 4 weeks. Finally, participants will complete a final visit at MUSC, and will answer more questions about their tobacco use 1-month later.
While cigarette smoking is detrimental to health and a known risk factor for cancer, e-cigarettes are thought to be less harmful but not entirely risk-free, and less is known about e-cigarette use and changes to health. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate changes in health that may occur when people stop using e-cigarettes. Participants who use e-cigarettes (and who never smoked, smoked in the past, or currently smoke) will be recruited to participate in a laboratory session followed by a week of abstaining from any nicotine use. Throughout the study, participants will provide biological samples for analysis of DNA damage, immune functioning, inflammation, and respiratory functioning at the MUSC Charleston campus. Results will provide insight into the health benefits of quitting vaping.
Many people smoke cigarettes and use e-cigarettes, and have a hard time stopping. Nicotine replacement therapy medications, such as nicotine patches and lozenges, have been shown to help people quit e-cigarette use. The purpose of the present study is to see how well nicotine patches and lozenges help people quit both smoking and vaping, and to determine if higher doses of the medication work best.