title: Nicotine lozenge efficacy in light smokers.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) has been proven to be effective in heterogeneous groups of smokers. However, analyses have not specifically examined efficacy among light smokers (< or =15 cigarettes per day). The objective of this study is to assess the efficacy of a nicotine lozenge in light smokers.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted a secondary analysis of a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial contrasting active 2mg nicotine lozenge with placebo, and contrasting light smokers (< or =15 cigarettes per day) with moderate-heavy smokers (>15 cigarettes per day). Participants were 917 smokers who smoked their first cigarette >30 min after waking, and were randomized to active (n = 459) or placebo (n = 458) lozenge. Biochemically verified continuous abstinence was measured at 6 weeks and 1 year.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nicotine lozenge significantly increased quit rates relative to placebo at 6 weeks (45.7% versus 31.1%; OR = 1.9 [1.3-2.8]) and at 1 year (19.2% versus 10.0%; OR = 2.3 [1.3-4.0]) among light smokers. Efficacy among light smokers did not differ from that among heavier smokers (ps>0.50).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The nicotine lozenge is effective for light smokers.
authors.affiliation: Pinney Associates, 201 North Craig Street, Suite 320, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. shiffman@pinneyassociates.com
authors.forename: Saul
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Shiffman
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D009538:Nicotine