Effects of Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes on Smoking Across Vulnerable Populations.
Thursday, June 16, 2022
Posted by: Natalia Gromov
Tidey
JW, Snell LM, Colby SM, Cassidy RN, Denlinger-Apte RL.
Effects of Very Low
Nicotine Content Cigarettes on Smoking Across Vulnerable Populations.
[published online ahead of print, 2022 May 26]. Prev Med. 2022;107099.
doi:10.1016/j.ypmed.2022.107099
There has been long-standing interest in a reduced-nicotine product standard
for combusted tobacco, which is within the regulatory purview of the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA). In weighing whether to establish this standard, it
is important to consider potential responses among people who are at elevated
risk for tobacco-related health harms. In this narrative review, we summarize
studies of very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes conducted between 2010
and 2021 in groups that the FDA has identified as vulnerable populations.
Studies conducted to date in adults with mental health conditions, adults with
opioid use disorder, socioeconomically-disadvantaged adults, and youth or young
adults indicate that immediate switching to VLNC cigarettes decreases smoking,
with minimal or no unintended negative consequences. Few studies have
investigated the effects of VLNC cigarettes in racial or ethnic minorities,
people who smoke menthol cigarettes, and pregnant women, but initial findings
suggest that responses of these individuals are similar to responses observed
in other vulnerable populations. We are not aware of studies that have investigated
VLNC cigarettes in military/veteran populations, sexual or gender minority
individuals, or people living in underserved rural environments. Future
research directions include understanding how to promote cessation in the
context of a reduced-nicotine standard, and how to correct VLNC misperceptions
in vulnerable populations. Nevertheless, the evidence to date indicates that a
reduced-nicotine standard is likely to have the same beneficial effects on
smoking reductions as it does in less vulnerable populations, which should
provide some confidence in pursuing this regulatory approach.
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