AIMS: To examine the effects of reduced nicotine cigarettes on smoking behavior, 
toxicant exposure, dependence and abstinence.
DESIGN: Randomized, parallel arm, semi-blinded study. Setting University of 
Minnesota Tobacco Use Research Center.
INTERVENTIONS: Six weeks of: (i) 0.05 mg nicotine yield cigarettes; (ii) 0.3 mg 
nicotine yield cigarettes; or (iii) 4 mg nicotine lozenge; 6 weeks of follow-up. 
Measurements Compensatory smoking behavior, biomarkers of exposure, tobacco 
dependence, tobacco withdrawal and abstinence rate.
FINDINGS: Unlike the 0.3 mg cigarettes, 0.05 mg cigarettes were not associated 
with compensatory smoking behaviors. Furthermore, the 0.05 mg cigarettes and 
nicotine lozenge were associated with reduced carcinogen exposure, nicotine 
dependence and product withdrawal scores. The 0.05 mg cigarette was associated 
with greater relief of withdrawal from usual brand cigarettes than the nicotine 
lozenge. The 0.05 mg cigarette led to a significantly higher rate of cessation 
than the 0.3 mg cigarette and a similar rate as nicotine lozenge.
CONCLUSION: The 0.05 mg nicotine yield cigarettes may be a tobacco product that 
can facilitate cessation; however, future research is clearly needed to support 
these preliminary findings.