Principal Investigator: Brooke Molina, PhD

Funding Source: National Institute of Child Health & Human Development

In 2009, the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act was passed and provided the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) with authority to reduce nicotine levels in cigarettes to non-zero levels if deemed appropriate for improving the health of the population.  While lowering the levels of nicotine in cigarettes may decrease their addictive potential and have a significant positive impact on public health, such policy may have unintended consequences for certain populations.

This study examined the effects of very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes on smoking behavior and mental health, functioning, acceptability and adverse outcomes in young adult smokers with ADHD.  Participants were randomly assigned to smoke either cigarettes with a normal amount of nicotine or a very low amount of nicotine for 6 weeks, and completed 10 in-person study visits.