The Moment Study: protocol for a mixed method observational cohort study of the Alternative Nicotine Delivery Systems (ANDS) initiation process among adult cigarette smokers.
BACKGROUND
Alternative Nicotine Delivery Systems (ANDS) such as e-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that aerosolize nicotine and other substances to simulate smoking without using tobacco. Little is known about the ANDS initiation process among adult smokers. The aims of this research are threefold to: (1) examine how ANDS use affects cigarette use; (2) examine how the immediate environmental and psychosocial contexts of cigarette and ANDS use vary within-and between-participants in general and by menthol preference and race; and, (3) examine participants' 'lived experience' of the subjective perceptions, meaning, influences and utility of cigarette and ANDS use.


METHODS
This study's mixed method, 6-week longitudinal design will produce a detailed description of the ANDS initiation process among adult smokers (N=100). Qualitative and quantitative data collection will include 3 weeks of: (1) ecological momentary assessment of patterns of cigarette/ANDS use, satisfaction, mood and craving; (2) geospatial assessment of participants' environment, including indoor and outdoor cigarette/ANDS norms and rules; (3) in-depth interviews about the meaning and utility of cigarette smoking and ANDS use; and, (4) saliva cotinine and exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) biomarkers. A diverse sample will be recruited with an equal number of menthol and non-menthol cigarette smokers. As the primary independent variable, we will investigate how ANDS use affects cigarette consumption. We will also examine how smoking-related and ANDS-related rules and norms surrounding product use influence cigarette and ANDS product use, and how the subjective effects of ANDS use affect ANDS perceptions, beliefs and use.


BACKGROUND
This study was funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the US National Institutes of Health (1R21DA036472), registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02261363), and approved by the Chesapeake IRB (Pro00008526). Findings will be disseminated to the scientific and lay community through presentations, reports and scientific publications.


BACKGROUND
NCT02261363; Pre-results.
Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative, Washington DC, USA Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Jennifer L
JL
Pearson
Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative, Washington DC, USA.
Sabrina L
SL
Smiley
Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative, Washington DC, USA Department of Psychology, American University, Washington DC, USA.
Leslie F
LF
Rubin
Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative, Washington DC, USA.
Andrew
A
Anesetti-Rothermel
Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative, Washington DC, USA.
Hoda
H
Elmasry
Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative, Washington DC, USA George Washington University, Professional Psychology Program, Washington DC, USA.
Megan
M
Davis
Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative, Washington DC, USA Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA.
Teresa
T
DeAtley
Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative, Washington DC, USA Department of Sociology and Anthropology, George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA.
Emily
E
Harvey
New York University College of Global Public Health, New York, New York, USA.
Thomas
T
Kirchner
Schroeder Institute for Tobacco Research and Policy Studies at Truth Initiative, Washington DC, USA Department of Health, Behavior, and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA Georgetown University Medical Center, Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center, Washington DC, USA.
David B
DB
Abrams
D000328:Adult; D001290:Attitude; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003469:Culture; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008610:Menthol; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D044469:Racial Groups; D012107:Research Design; D012907:Smoking; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D012926:Social Control, Formal; D066262:Social Norms; D062789:Tobacco Products / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder; D014481:United States
D015415:Biomarkers; D008610:Menthol; D009538:Nicotine
PUBLIC HEALTH; QUALITATIVE RESEARCH; STATISTICS & RESEARCH METHODS