About This Project
There's a lot of debate as to whether e-cigarettes can actually help people quit smoking. This is the first ever study to use objective evidence of both smoking and vaping in real-time. The purpose of this study is to better understand how smokers use e-cigarettes and how vaping interacts with conventional cigarette use during a quit attemptAsk the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
Electronic cigarettes are battery-powered
devices that deliver nicotine in aerosol form. Depending on the model, drawing on the device or pressing a button triggers an atomizer to vaporize the aerosol. This mimics the act of smoking and is referred to as “vaping”.
E-cigarettes are becoming increasingly popular, and are often touted for their promise to help individuals quit smoking. Despite the growing numbers of e-cigarette users, it is unknown how smokers use these devices day-to-day.
What is the significance of this project?
Smoking is the #1 preventable cause of death in the US. Despite extensive public education about the negative health consequences of smoking, over 18% of Americans continue to smoke. Undoubtedly, more effective interventions for smoking are needed.
There is great debate on whether e-cigarettes should remain available, and under what regulations. When making regulatory decisions, the FDA will need to consider evidence over anecdotal reports. Of the few existing studies, there is currently little to no scientific support that e-cigarettes are more helpful than traditional aids to quit smoking. More research is desperately needed to fully understand if and how e-cigarettes promote smoking abstinence. This information can then be used to better inform policy.
What are the goals of the project?
Vaping will be measured using an e-cigarette that tracks the time, duration, and intensity of each puff.
Smoking will be monitored using a breath CO meter.
Using these measures, along with craving and withdrawal reports, we can capture participants' smoking and vaping patterns as they attempt to quit.
Will electronic cigarettes decrease craving and withdrawal?
Will smoking decrease once vaping is introduced?
Budget
During this study, participants will be required to submit 2 breath Carbon Monoxide samples per day to measure recent cigarette smoking. These samples are the key to understanding the relationship between vaping and smoking. Paying participants for their help in the study will help make sure they will provide these samples.
Participants will also be given E-liquid to use in their loaned electronic cigarettes throughout the course of the study. We are providing them with E-liquid to keep the nicotine concentrations and flavorings consistent throughout the study, and as an added incentive to participate.
Meet the Team
Team Bio
Sarah Martner and Brantley Jarvis are graduate students in the Department of Psychology at the University of Florida.Dr. Jesse Dallery is the Director of the UF-SLC, a Licensed Psychologist in the state of Florida, a Principal Investigator in the Center for Technology and Health at the National Development and Research Institutes, and Scientific Core Director of the Center for Technology and Behavioral Health housed at Dartmouth College.
The UF Smoking Laboratory and Clinic (UF-SLC) seeks to connect basic laboratory science with clinically relevant problems, and to conduct studies within each domain.
Specifically, we aim to:
(a) Extend our program on basic behavioral and behavioral pharmacological research
(b) Apply principles and processes generated by laboratory research, both conceptually and empirically, to clinical problems
(c) Employ these findings to improve behavioral assessments of and treatments for cigarette smoking and related issues
Sarah Martner
Hello! I am a graduate student in the Department of Psychology at the University of Florida. I grew up in the cold - but nice! - state of Minnesota and received my B.S. in Psychology from the University of North Dakota. My research concerns using technological innovations to deliver behavior analytic treatments for smoking cessation and other pro-health behavior.
I am a lover of being outdoors (sunshine or snow), data, health, and puppies!
Additional Information
Smoking in this study will be monitored by using a small, hand-held breath carbon monoxide (CO) meter. To measure CO, participants will blow into a tube attached to the meter, similar to an alcohol breathalyzer. After blowing into the tube, the meter provides a CO reading. CO builds up in their blood when participants smoke, so the more they smoke the higher their CO levels will be.
Participants will submit two breath CO samples per day to our study website, mōtiv8. From there, we can view their submission history and track their progress.
The electronic cigarette we are using is the Smokio connected e-cigarette.
Project Backers
- 19Backers
- 100%Funded
- $500Total Donations
- $25.00Average Donation