Using very low nicotine cigarettes to help people with opioid use disorder and chronic pain quit smoking
Official title: Targeting Reinforcement Mechanisms for Smoking Cessation Using Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes in Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain
Funded at Duke University · NIH-11057400 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at whether switching to very low nicotine cigarettes can help people with opioid use disorder and chronic pain quit smoking, by tracking their cravings and smoking habits over four weeks to see how it affects their pain and withdrawal symptoms.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Duke University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Durham, United States) |
| Project start | September 15, 2024 |
| Project end | July 31, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2024 |
| Award (this year) | $241,500 |
| NIH project number | 1R34DA060477-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-11057400 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who smoke and are receiving buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder while also experiencing chronic pain.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not smoke or are not undergoing treatment for opioid use disorder may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how switching to very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes can help individuals with opioid use disorder and chronic pain quit smoking. It aims to understand the effects of VLNCs compared to regular nicotine cigarettes on smoking behavior, pain levels, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms. Participants will engage in ecological momentary assessments to track their smoking urges and behaviors in real-time over a period of four weeks. The study seeks to disrupt the reinforcement cycles that make quitting smoking particularly challenging for this population.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could provide a new approach to help individuals with opioid use disorder and chronic pain successfully quit smoking.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using low nicotine cigarettes for smoking cessation, indicating that this approach may be effective.
Where this research is happening
-
Duke University
Durham, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sweitzer, Maggie M — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Sweitzer, Maggie M
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Targeting Reinforcement to Help Smokers with Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain Quit
A study to see if switching people who smoke and are on buprenorphine for opioid use disorder and chronic pain to cigarettes with very low nicotine can help them quit smoking.
-
Very low nicotine cigarettes to help people on buprenorphine with chronic pain quit smoking
This compares switching to very low nicotine cigarettes versus regular cigarettes for people with opioid use disorder who have chronic pain to see if it reduces smoking, cravings, withdrawal, and pain.
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Very low nicotine cigarettes to help quitting for people with chronic back pain
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A program to build flexible data systems that can share and use opioid overdose and related health data so researchers and clinicians can act faster and smarter.
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Smoking cessation program for Veterans with chronic pain using interactive voice/phone support
A randomized trial tests whether an integrated pain-and-smoking cessation program delivered to Veterans with chronic pain helps people quit smoking better than standard quitting methods.
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Digital program to help Veterans with chronic pain and opioid-use disorder stay on treatment and feel better
A web-based 9-week program helps Veterans on buprenorphine manage chronic pain and cravings from home.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.