Effects of 6-Week Use of Reduced-Nicotine Content Cigarettes in Smokers With and Without Elevated Depressive Symptoms

Conclusions:
These findings provide initial evidence that a reduced-nicotine standard for cigarettes may reduce smoking, without worsening depressive symptoms, among smokers with elevated depressive symptoms.

Implications:
This secondary analysis of a recent clinical trial examined whether depressive symptom severity moderated the effects of reduced-nicotine cigarettes on smoking and depressive symptoms. Results indicate that, regardless of baseline depressive symptoms, participants randomized to reduced-nicotine cigarettes had lower smoking rates, nicotine intake, nicotine dependence, and craving at week 6 post-randomization than those assigned to normal-nicotine cigarettes. In participants with higher baseline depressive symptoms, those assigned to reduced-nicotine cigarettes had lower week 6 depressive symptoms than those assigned to normal-nicotine cigarettes. These results suggest that a nicotine reduction policy could have beneficial effects for smokers, regardless of depressive symptom severity.

Source: Nicotine and Tobacco Research - December 14, 2016 Category: Addiction Authors: Tidey, J. W., Pacek, L. R., Koopmeiners, J. S., Vandrey, R., Nardone, N., Drobes, D. J., Benowitz, N. L., Dermody, S. S., Lemieux, A., Denlinger, R. L., Cassidy, R., alAbsi, M., Hatsukami, D. K., Donny, E. C. Tags: Original Investigation Source Type: research