Very low nicotine cigarettes to help people on buprenorphine with chronic pain quit smoking
Targeting Reinforcement Mechanisms for Smoking Cessation Using Very Low Nicotine Content Cigarettes in Individuals with Opioid Use Disorder and Chronic Pain
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.
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 ID | NIH-11190972 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
You would smoke your usual cigarettes for one week while reporting pain, cravings, and smoking on your phone. After that, you'll be randomly given either very low nicotine cigarettes or regular nicotine cigarettes for four weeks and continue momentary reports via a phone app. The study tracks smoking behavior, craving and withdrawal symptoms, pain levels, motivation to quit, and timing of buprenorphine doses. Researchers will compare changes between the two groups to learn whether lowering nicotine weakens the links between pain, buprenorphine dosing, and smoking urges.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Adults who currently smoke, are receiving office-based buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder, and have non-cancer chronic pain are ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People who do not smoke, are not on buprenorphine, or whose pain is cancer-related or managed very differently may not get direct benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, switching to very low nicotine cigarettes could make it easier for people on buprenorphine with chronic pain to reduce or stop smoking and lower pain-related urges to smoke.
How similar studies have performed: Previous trials in general smoking populations have shown very low nicotine cigarettes can reduce dependence and smoking, but applying this approach specifically to people with opioid use disorder and chronic pain is new.
Where this research is happening
Durham, United States
- Duke University — Durham, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Sweitzer, Maggie M — Duke University
- Study coordinator: Sweitzer, Maggie M
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 below.