Smoking risks are strongly dose-related. Lung cancer risks are shown to leap from 10-fold to 70-fold with increased daily cigarette consumption. To reduce tobacco exposure and its corresponding hazards is a first step in transitioning resistant smokers who are unwilling or unable to commit to quitting. Traditionally, abstinence programs target the highly- motivated smoker ready to quit or take action. 80% of tobacco users, however, do not plan an attempt in the next six months. 50% will never quit. Reasons cited include unwillingness to forego the pleasure, discouragement with past failures, and intolerance of side effects. Occasionally, a """"""""chink in the armor"""""""" appears and smokers become open to seriously cutting back. Smoking reduction is increasingly recognized as a first step in moving refractory tobacco users toward harm reduction and later stages of change, including the ideal of abstinence. Smoking reduction may reach deeper into pre-contemplative and intransigent segments who are otherwise unresponsive. Success at achieving more limited goals may rebuild self-efficacy loss. This study will demonstrate a technological breakthrough that delivers a scheduled reduction regimen programmed to decrease to and maintain usage at 50% of baseline. Sophisticated biomarkers will verity reduction in uptake of carcinogens, toxins and nicotine.

Proposed Commercial Applications

No broad-based protocol or commercial delivery instrument presently exists for the 80% of the 48-million smokers who are unwilling or unable to quit. This over-the-counter therapy device for scheduled reduction is used as: (1) a highly-effective self-help behavioral treatment for the most refractory smokers, (2) an adjunct to other medical care, and (3)a research tool to precisely monitor and tailor treatments.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Small Business Innovation Research Grants (SBIR) - Phase I (R43)
Project #
1R43CA088556-01
Application #
6209514
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG1-SSS-D (01))
Program Officer
Dresser, Connie M
Project Start
2000-08-25
Project End
2001-08-30
Budget Start
2000-08-25
Budget End
2001-08-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2000
Total Cost
$131,338
Indirect Cost
Name
Lifetechniques, Inc.
Department
Type
DUNS #
130475028
City
San Antonio
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
78205