title: The impact of free trial acceptance on demand for alternative nicotine products: evidence from experimental auctions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study explored the relationship between product trials and consumer demand for alternative nicotine products (ANP).
  
  
  METHODS
  An experimental auction was conducted with 258 adult smokers, wherein participants were randomly assigned to one of four experimental conditions. The participants received the opportunity to try, but did not have to accept, one of three relatively novel ST products (i.e., snus, dissolvable tobacco, or medicinal nicotine), or they were placed into a control group (i.e., no trial). All the participants then bid on all three of these products, as well as on cigarettes. We assessed interest in using ANP based on both trial of the product and bids placed for the products in the experimental auction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fewer smokers were willing to try snus (44%) than dissolvable tobacco (64%) or medicine nicotine (68%). For snus, we find modest evidence suggesting that willingness to try is associated with greater demand for the product. For dissolvable tobacco or medicinal nicotine, we find no evidence that those who accept the product trial have higher demand for the product.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Free trials of a novel ANP were not strongly associated with product demand, as assessed by willingness to pay. Given the debate over the potential for ANP to reduce the harm from smoking, these results are important in understanding the impact of free trial offers on adoption of ST product as a strategy to reduce harm from tobacco use.
authors.affiliation: Susquehanna University, 514 University Ave, Selinsgrove, PA, 17870, USA. rousu@susqu.edu.
authors.forename: Matthew C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rousu
authors.affiliation: Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA. Richard.Oconnor@roswellpark.org.
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Elm and Carlton Streets, Buffalo, NY, 14263, USA. Maansi.Travers@roswellpark.org.
authors.forename: Maansi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bansal-Travers
authors.affiliation: Geisinger Health System, Danville, PA, 17822, USA. jmpitcavage@geisinger.edu.
authors.forename: James M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Pitcavage
authors.affiliation: University of South Carolina, 915 Greene Street, Columbia, SC, 29208, USA. thrasher@mailbox.sc.edu.
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Thrasher
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013022:South Carolina; D061485:Tobacco Use Cessation Devices / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000628:therapy*; D014030:Tobacco, Smokeless / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*