In current smokers, a reduction in nicotine content may reduce cigarette consumption, reduce the reinforcement value of cigarettes, and increase cessation if reduced nicotine content cigarettes were the only cigarette available for purchase, according to a recent study. Researchers evaluated 839 eligible adult smokers randomized from 2013 to 2014. Participants received their usual brand or an investigational cigarette with 1 of 5 nicotine contents: 15.8 (primary control), 5.2, 2.4, 1.3, or 0.4 mg/g. Researchers found:

• Compared with normal nicotine content controls, the lowest nicotine content (0.4 mg/g) reduced the number of study cigarettes participants estimated they would smoke at a range of prices.
• The lowest nicotine content also reduced the maximum amount of money allocated to study cigarettes and the price at which participants reported they would stop buying study cigarettes.
• A reduction in nicotine content to the lowest level also reduced the maximum amount of money allocated to usual brand cigarettes.