Vaping Cessation Using the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation Among E-Cigarette Users (VC-OMSC)

University of Ottawa Heart Institute

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Tobacco Smoking; Vaping

Treatments: Behavioral: OMSC

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06164678

20230670-01H

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to determine if a standardized approach including counselling and Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) can help e-cigarette users quit vaping. Current e-cigarette users will be randomly assigned to either to counselling and NRT or counselling only group. Self-reported rates of vaping cessation will be measured throughout the year in both groups. The use of e-cigarettes has grown substantially among non-smokers, particularly among youth and young adults. These devices deliver high levels of nicotine, far greater than is possible with conventional cigarettes. Currently, they are not approved for smoking cessation or any purpose by Health Canada. Nonetheless, there is some evidence that e-cigarettes may be of assistance in smoking cessation. Conversely, there is evidence that using cigarettes and e-cigarettes together may result in increased cigarette consumption. E-cigarette use among youth also serves as a gateway to regular use of conventional cigarettes. Clinicians and patients are seeking guidance on vaping cessation. However, to date, there are no strong evidence-based interventions to support e-cigarette users in quitting. NRT is approved for smoking cessation by Health Canada. However, it is not approved for vaping cessation and thus its use to support e-cigarette users to quit by managing their nicotine withdrawal is considered "off-label". This represents a significant gap and opportunity, which this project will address.

The study hypothesizes that the OMSC approach, which includes the use of nicotine replacement therapy, will result in higher rates of vaping cessation compared to usual care.

Participants will all complete an initial counselling session to discuss vaping cessation and receive tips to help achieve cessation. They will all be asked to track their smoking/vaping behaviour and the amount of tobacco in their e-cigarette for 7 days. After 7 days, all participants will be randomly put into one of two groups (either the intervention or control group). They will have follow-up assessments with the research team at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months.

Enrollment: 180 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• >18 years of age or older
• Ontario resident
• Ability to speak English or French
• Regular use of e-cigarette (vaping at least once per week for the past four weeks)

Exclusion criteria

• Cognitive impairment or acute psychiatric illness that would alter their ability to participate
• Being institutionalized at a retirement home, nursing home or long-term care facility
• Participating in another smoking or vaping cessation program
• Allergy or intolerance to NRT

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Double Blind

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180 participants in 2 patient groups

Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation

Experimental group

Description:

The OMSC group will receive counselling and pharmacotherapy if they choose (specifically NRT) with follow-up calls to support medication titration. Participants will be provided with quit cards, which are pre-loaded with $300 worth of funds that can only be used by the assigned study participant to purchase NRT (if they choose). For those in the intervention group, the study counsellor who is a trained Nicotine Addiction Treatment Specialist (NATS) will facilitate follow-up, monitor NRT use, and advise participants to titrate NRT dose as required based on their minimum daily nicotine intake. These counselling calls will be conducted at day 3, 7, 14, 21, 30, 60, 90, and 180 as is standard in OMSC for people who smoke and are interested in quitting. A diary will also be provided to the participants to track their usage.

Treatment:

Behavioral: OMSC

Usual Care

No Intervention group

Description:

The usual care group will receive the initial counselling session but no further follow-up or NRT. They will be able to self-initiate a follow-up call if they choose. Participants will not be excluded if they choose to initiate NRT on their own at their own expense.