Association of Reduced Nicotine Content Cigarettes With Smoking Behaviors and Biomarkers of Exposure Among Slow and Fast Nicotine Metabolizers

Key Points Question Would federally mandated nicotine reduction in cigarettes adversely affect smokers with fast nicotine metabolism? Findings In this nonrandomized clinical trial of 100 adult smokers, use of reduced nicotine content cigarettes for two 15-day periods was associated with decreased puffing behaviors and urinary tobacco biomarker exposure relative to smokers’ preferred brand but not with decreased daily cigarette consumption or carbon monoxide levels. These associations did not differ significantly between slow and fast nicotine metabolizers. Meaning This study suggests that fast nicotine metabolizers may not be at greater risk of being negatively affected should the US Food and Drug Administration mandate a reduced nicotine product standard similar to the nicotine levels tested.