Recruiting

Testing nicotine pouches as an alternative to cigarettes

Plain-English translation of NCT06678789 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated August 2026 · Translation generated September 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This research study is testing tobacco-free nicotine pouches as a way to help people who smoke reduce or quit cigarettes. You would try pouches containing either a higher dose (6 mg) or lower dose (3 mg) of nicotine for 4 weeks, and the research team would track whether the pouches help you smoke fewer cigarettes or stop smoking altogether. The study also measures changes in harmful chemicals in your body and how addicted you feel.

Smoking cigarettes causes serious health problems, and many people struggle to quit. This study is exploring whether nicotine pouches—which don't involve burning tobacco—could be a safer way for people to get nicotine while reducing the damage from cigarette smoking.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are at least 21 years old
you currently smoke at least 5 cigarettes per day, on at least 25 days per month, and have smoked for more than 1 year
you have smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your lifetime
you have used nicotine pouches 5 times or fewer in your entire life
you have internet access and can travel to Charleston for 2 in-person visits

You likely don't qualify if…

you are not fluent in English
you have used other tobacco or nicotine products (like e-cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco) in the past 30 days
you are currently taking smoking cessation medications like varenicline or nicotine replacement therapy
you have used marijuana in the past month or are unwilling to stop using it during the study
you have certain heart conditions, are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have had a recent heart attack

What participation looks like

You would receive nicotine pouches to use at home for 4 weeks and report on your smoking habits and how you feel through online surveys. You would make 2 visits to Charleston to provide biological samples (like blood or saliva) so researchers can measure changes in harmful chemicals in your body. Throughout the study, you would track whether you're smoking fewer cigarettes, whether you've switched entirely to the pouches, and how addicted you feel to nicotine.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Sep 24, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

United States

Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina