Roberta Freitas-Lemos1, Allison N Tegge2, Jeffrey S Stein1, William Brady DeHart1, Sarah A Reisinger3, Peter G Shields3, Dorothy K Hatsukami4, Warren K Bickel5. 1. Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA. 2. Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA; Department of Statistics, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA. 3. Comprehensive Cancer Center, The Ohio State University and James Cancer Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA. 4. Masonic Cancer Center and Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. 5. Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at Virginia Tech Carilion, Roanoke, VA, USA. Electronic address: wkbickel@vtc.vt.edu.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Regulating filter ventilation will change the relative reinforcing value of products resulting in nicotine/tobacco users facing the explore/exploit dilemma (ie, choice between unfamiliar and familiar options). This study examined the effects of price increases in higher-ventilated cigarettes (HVCs) and exposure to lower-ventilated cigarettes (LVCs) on explore/exploit patterns of tobacco-product purchasing in the Experimental Tobacco Marketplace (ETM). METHODS: HVC smokers (N = 20) completed one assessment session and 3 ETM sessions separated by weeks of at-home LVC exposure. In each ETM session, participants made 7-days of tobacco-product purchases as HVCs price increased across trials. RESULTS: Prohibitive prices of HVC decreased the likelihood of HVCs purchases and increased the likelihood of LVC purchases. Initial exposure (week 1) to LVC reduced the number of cigarettes purchased when HVC prices were high and increased exploration of alternative tobacco products. Successive exposure to LVC (repeated access in weeks 2,5,6,9,10) decreased likelihood of HVCs and alternative product purchases and increased the likelihood of LVCs purchases. CONCLUSIONS: Regulating filter ventilation may initially increase exploration of alternative tobacco products but lead to exploitation of LVCs over time. Tobacco control strategies should take advantage of this transition period when smokers seek information on unfamiliar products to implement harm reduction strategies.
OBJECTIVES: Regulating filter ventilation will change the relative reinforcing value of products resulting in nicotine/tobacco users facing the explore/exploit dilemma (ie, choice between unfamiliar and familiar options). This study examined the effects of price increases in higher-ventilated cigarettes (HVCs) and exposure to lower-ventilated cigarettes (LVCs) on explore/exploit patterns of tobacco-product purchasing in the Experimental Tobacco Marketplace (ETM). METHODS: HVC smokers (N = 20) completed one assessment session and 3 ETM sessions separated by weeks of at-home LVC exposure. In each ETM session, participants made 7-days of tobacco-product purchases as HVCs price increased across trials. RESULTS: Prohibitive prices of HVC decreased the likelihood of HVCs purchases and increased the likelihood of LVC purchases. Initial exposure (week 1) to LVC reduced the number of cigarettes purchased when HVC prices were high and increased exploration of alternative tobacco products. Successive exposure to LVC (repeated access in weeks 2,5,6,9,10) decreased likelihood of HVCs and alternative product purchases and increased the likelihood of LVCs purchases. CONCLUSIONS: Regulating filter ventilation may initially increase exploration of alternative tobacco products but lead to exploitation of LVCs over time. Tobacco control strategies should take advantage of this transition period when smokers seek information on unfamiliar products to implement harm reduction strategies.
Authors: Jed E Rose; Al Salley; Frederique M Behm; James E Bates; Eric C Westman Journal: Psychopharmacology (Berl) Date: 2010-04-01 Impact factor: 4.530
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Authors: Jeffrey S Stein; Mikhail N Koffarnus; Richard J O'Connor; Dorothy K Hatsukami; Warren K Bickel Journal: Nicotine Tob Res Date: 2018-09-04 Impact factor: 4.244