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A Novel Method for Evaluating the Acceptability of Substitutes for Cigarettes: The Experimental Tobacco Marketplace.

ABSTRACT: Objectives:The current study tests the substitutability of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), electronic cigarettes (ECs), and very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) in the context of an online experimental tobacco marketplace (ETM) that was designed to mimic the choices of smokers under 4 policy scenarios. Methods:Dutch cigarette smokers (N = 840) completed an online survey in July 2015. The ETM was comprised of conventional cigarettes, VLNCs, ECs (disposable/cartridge/tank systems), and NRT (lozenges/patches/tabs). All participants completed a scenario in which conventional cigarettes were banned. To test additional policy scenarios participants were randomized to one of 3 experiments: 1) no VLNCs, 2) all products available, or 3) no ECs. Hypothetical weekly purchases were made when the cost for conventional cigarettes was ½ market price (MP), MP, 2x MP, and 4x MP. Substitutability was measured by the change in estimated consumption as cigarette prices increased. Results:Tank and cartridge ECs and VLNCs were stronger cigarette substitutes than disposable ECs and NRT products. Substitution of ECs and NRT for cigarettes was dampened when VLNCs were available. Conclusions:The ETM offers a method to predict how smokers might respond to policies that alter the availability of potentially substitutable products available in the marketplace.

SUBMITTER: Heckman BW

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6605101 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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A Novel Method for Evaluating the Acceptability of Substitutes for Cigarettes: The Experimental Tobacco Marketplace.

Heckman Bryan W BW Cummings K Michael KM Hirsch Alexander A AA Quisenberry Amanda J AJ Borland Ron R O'Connor Richard J RJ Fong Geoffrey T GT Bickel Warren K WK

Tobacco regulatory science 20170701 3

<h4>Objectives</h4>The current study tests the substitutability of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), electronic cigarettes (ECs), and very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) in the context of an online experimental tobacco marketplace (ETM) that was designed to mimic the choices of smokers under 4 policy scenarios.<h4>Methods</h4>Dutch cigarette smokers (N = 840) completed an online survey in July 2015. The ETM was comprised of conventional cigarettes, VLNCs, ECs (disposable/cartridge/tank system ...[more]

PMID: 31276024

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Project description:IntroductionCigarette smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death in the United States. Recent efforts have explored the potential health and policy benefits of reducing nicotine, an addictive component, in combustible cigarettes. To date, an experimental, prospective analysis directly comparing the effects of varying regulatory environments on purchases of multiple products has yet to be conducted. The present study compared real purchasing of conventional cigarettes, reduced-nicotine cigarettes, and a variety of other nicotine and tobacco products across a range of regulatory environments.MethodsParticipants were assigned to one of five groups, each associated with a different nicotine level (mg of nicotine to g of tobacco) in SPECTRUM investigational cigarettes (15.8, 5.2, 2.4, 1.3, and 0.4 mg/g). Across sessions, participants made real purchases for nicotine/tobacco products in an Experimental Tobacco Marketplace. Each session corresponded with a distinct regulatory environment wherein different nicotine/tobacco products were available for purchase.ResultsOur results suggest that the primary drivers of cigarette and nicotine purchasing are regulatory environment and the presence/absence of alternative nicotine and tobacco products. Perhaps surprisingly, nicotine level does not appear to be such a driver of purchasing behavior under these experimental conditions. Investigational cigarette purchasing is lowest when other preferred combustible products are available and highest when investigational cigarettes are the only combustible product available for purchase.ConclusionsIf a reduced-nicotine policy is implemented, great care should be taken in determining and making available less-harmful nicotine/tobacco products as the availability of preferred combustible products may result in undesirable levels of purchasing.ImplicationsThis is the first experimental study investigating different potential regulatory effects related to a reduced-nicotine policy by examining purchasing across a range of nicotine/tobacco products. Our results suggest the presence of affordable, highly preferred combustible products is likely to maintain tobacco purchasing at undesirable levels. To promote switching to less-harmful products, affordable alternate nicotine and tobacco products should be readily available. Finally, our results suggest that the availability of noncigarette products, not cigarette nicotine level, will most likely affect purchasing of reduced-nicotine cigarettes.

Project description:IntroductionWe describe the development and pilot testing of the experimental tobacco and nicotine product marketplace (ETM)-a method for studying tobacco and nicotine product (TNP) choices and use behavior in a standardized way.Aims and methodsThe ETM resembles an online store populated with TNPs. Surveillance activities and data from a US representative survey and consumer reports were used to determine the most popular TNPs for inclusion in the ETM. Standardized information and videos demonstrating how to use the TNPs were provided. To test the feasibility of using the ETM, smokers (n = 119) underwent monitoring of usual brand cigarette smoking and other TNP use (Baseline Phase) followed by access to the ETM (ETM Phase) that included their usual brand cigarettes, e-cigarettes, moist snuff, snus, and nicotine replacement therapy. During the ETM Phase, participants were provided points based on their baseline TNP consumption to exchange for TNPs in the ETM. Participants were advised to exchange points for enough TNPs to last until their next visit and to refrain from using TNPs not obtained in the ETM. A subset of the participants (n = 62) completed a survey on their experience with the ETM.ResultsThe majority of the participants stated they were comfortable with navigating the ETM (97%), it was easy to determine product characteristics (89%), and they were satisfied with the products included in the marketplace (85%).ConclusionsThe ETM was well received by the vast majority of the participants and can be utilized by researchers to investigate a variety of TNP policy and regulatory science research questions.ImplicationsPatterns of TNP use are complex due to greater availability, marketing, and promotion of a diverse array of TNPs. Innovative methods are needed to experimentally study TNP choices and patterns. Through describing the development of the ETM, we provide researchers with a tool that can be readily adapted to studying a variety of phenomena challenging public health.

Dataset Information

A Novel Method for Evaluating the Acceptability of Substitutes for Cigarettes: The Experimental Tobacco Marketplace.

Publications

A Novel Method for Evaluating the Acceptability of Substitutes for Cigarettes: The Experimental Tobacco Marketplace.

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