# A randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation treatment for young adult dual users of combustible and electronic cigarettes

> **NIH NIH P20** · UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE · 2021 · $107,918

## Abstract

Over 480,000 people die per year from combustible cigarette (CC) smoking related illness in the 
United States. Young adults are particularly vulnerable to nicotine dependence and harm from tobacco. 
The prevalence of electronic cigarette (EC) use has increased exponentially over the past decade and 
is highest among young adults. ECs could substantially reduce harm for young adult smokers who 
completely switch from CCs to ECs and remain abstinent from CCs. However, most who use ECs 
continue to smoke CCs (i.e., dual users), which could perpetuate nicotine dependence and harm from 
CC smoking. There are no empirically based treatments for dual users and it is unclear whether quitting 
CCs only or quitting both CCs and ECs simultaneously is more effective to achieve long-term 
abstinence from CCs. Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) is an effective first-line smoking cessation 
treatment for adult CC smokers but has never been tested among young adults or among dual users. 
Given the strong evidence that smoking cessation early in life can completely avoid tobacco-related 
mortality, there is a need to test effective smoking cessation treatment for young adult dual users. 
The overarching aim of the proposed 2x2 factorial RCT is to test NRT with text message support for 
two smoking cessation approaches among young adult dual users of CCs and ECs. Specifically, we 
aim to 1) test the effectiveness of NRT for CC cessation among young adult dual users and 2) test 
whether quitting CCs only versus quitting CCs and ECs simultaneously is more effective to achieve CC 
abstinence. Participants (n=390) will be randomized to receive A) NRT plus text messages to quit CCs 
only, B) NRT plus text messages to quit CCs and ECs simultaneously, C) text messages alone to quit 
CCs only, or D) text messages alone to quit CCs and ECs simultaneously. Our primary outcome will be 
CO-verified 7-day point-prevalence abstinence at the end of treatment (i.e., 3 months after 
randomization). 
Findings from our primary aims will directly inform smoking cessation treatment for young adult dual 
users, a population that is particularly vulnerable to the harmful effects of nicotine addiction. This is 
important given the current lack of published research on smoking cessation treatment for dual users or 
NRT for young adults. As secondary aims, we will explore the interaction between NRT use versus no 
use and quitting CCs only versus CCs and ECs simultaneously as well as change in nicotine 
dependence, demand, and other smoking related outcomes among participants who fail to quit. 
Broadly, findings will have applied implications for treating young adult dual users and scientific 
implications regarding the effects of quitting one (CCs) versus two (CCs and ECs) nicotine products 
simultaneously.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10292910
- **Project number:** 5P20GM103644-09
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT & ST AGRIC COLLEGE
- **Principal Investigator:** Elias M Klemperer
- **Activity code:** P20 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $107,918
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2013-09-15 → 2023-07-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10292910

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10292910, A randomized controlled trial of smoking cessation treatment for young adult dual users of combustible and electronic cigarettes (5P20GM103644-09). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10292910. Licensed CC0.

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