N/A
N=136
COMET Study 1: Filter Ventilated Cigarette Substitution in the ETM
Substance-Related Disorders
Bottom Line
View on ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT03306173 ↗Enrolled (actual)
136
Serious AEs
0.0%
Results posted
Oct 2025
Primary outcome: Primary: High Ventilated Cigarette Purchases — 104.22; 29.64; 52.38; 47.41 single unit quantity purchased
Study Design & Population
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- N/A
- Interventions
- Commercially available cigarette (Other)
- Age
- Adult, Older Adult · 21+ yrs
- Sex
- All
- Sponsor
- Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
- Primary completion
- Mar 2020
Outcome Measures
| Outcome | Result | p-value |
|---|---|---|
| PRIMARY High Ventilated Cigarette Purchases |
104.22; 29.64; 52.38; 47.41; 22.22; 61.77 | — |
| PRIMARY Low Ventilated Cigarette Purchases |
40.84; 123.91; 53.52; 70.39; 56.29; 28.89 | — |
| PRIMARY E-Cigarette Purchases |
0.32; 0.47; 0.32; 0.44; 0.27; 0.52 | — |
| PRIMARY E-liquid Purchases |
0.18; 0.31; 0.09; 0.08; 0.05; 0.13 | — |
| PRIMARY Gum Purchases |
0.27; 0.39; 0.29; 0.17; 0.25; 0.25 | — |
| PRIMARY Snus Purchases |
0.27; 0.33; 0.05; 0.28; 0.00; 0.00 | — |
| PRIMARY Lozenge Purchases |
0.91; 0.31; 0.45; 0.22; 1.25; 0.11 | — |
| PRIMARY Dip Purchases |
0.07; 0.17; 0.00; 0.00; 0.14; 0.00 | — |
Summary
Early attempts by the tobacco industry to develop "safer" cigarettes led to the widespread introduction of ventilation holes in cigarette filters; however, this design feature may instead increase smoking-related harm and make cigarettes more palatable. The overall goal of this project is to model regulatory restrictions banning cigarette filter ventilation and determine their effects on consumption of both cigarettes and a wide range of alternative tobacco products. Testing potential regulatory actions under controlled conditions will facilitate evidence-based policies that have a net benefit to health.
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- Current cigarette smoker
- Stable mental and physical health
- Does not take medications that interfere with nicotine metabolism
Exclusion Criteria
- Pregnant or lactating
- Immediate future plans to quit smoking
Data sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03306173). Outcome figures and adverse-event rates are extracted automatically from the registry's posted results and are provided for clinician reference, not as a substitute for the primary publication.