E-cigarette Switching Older Adults

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND, BALTIMORE · Jul 30, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This is a small, early pilot trial at the University of Maryland to learn whether adults aged 50 and older who are being treated for opioid use disorder and still smoke can switch to using nicotine-containing e-cigarettes (vaping) and whether this helps reduce tobacco use. Participants are randomly placed in one of two groups: (1) an e-cigarette group that gets a NJOY Ace device with nicotine pods to use as they wish, along with information about the relative harms of nicotine and tobacco; or (2) a control group that receives standard brief advice to quit smoking and quit resources. The study will look at whether the e-cigarette group is more likely to intend to quit smoking in the next month and whether their cigarette use declines.

Eligibility includes being 50 or older, in opioid-use-disorder treatment for at least 3 months, currently smoking tobacco (not regularly using e-cigarettes), and having breath carbon monoxide above 8 ppm. Exclusions include anyone actively trying to quit smoking or who is under 50. The study involves a baseline visit and follow-ups at weeks 2, 6, and 8, each lasting 30–90 minutes, with surveys on tobacco and overall health and a breath CO test. If you join the e-cigarette group, you’ll receive the NJOY Ace and nicotine pods and can choose flavors, but you can use it or not, as you prefer. If you’re in the control group, you’ll get brief advice to quit and access to usual quitting resources. The trial is currently enrolling by invitation and aims to enroll about 40 people.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • 1. 50 years or older; currently in treatment for opioid use disorder for at least 3 months
• • 2. currently use tobacco (\>100 cigarettes in lifetime and smoke every day or some days)
• • 3. xpired air CO \>8ppm
• • 4. does not regularly use e-cigarettes (regular use defined as use in the past month for 2 or more consecutive days)
• • 5. not pregnant or breastfeeding
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • 1. individuals trying to stop smoking or have a plan to quit smoking
• • 2. people age 49 or younger
• • 3. people who do not currently smoke tobacco