Real-world excretion factors for tobacco and nicotine products

This study investigates how the body processes different nicotine products in real-world use situations, including both tobacco and non-tobacco nicotine products.

This information will help researchers to improve a method of measuring how much tobacco and other nicotine products are being used in the community by analysing wastewater (sewage). Wastewater analysis is a non-intrusive and completely anonymous way to measure tobacco and nicotine use at the population level, rather than relying on surveys that collect information from individuals. This allows researchers to look at trends in different nicotine product use, for example if people are switching from smoking to vaping. We are also interested in your views on nicotine-containing product regulation and availability. The study needs people who smoke, vape with nicotine-containing liquid or use nicotine replacement therapies to answer some questions and collect their urine for 24 hours. The urine sample will be collected to determine the by-products of nicotine processed by the body

This study involves three parts:

1. Questionnaire: There are tick box questions and short answer questions about you, the nicotine products that you use, your plans regarding quitting smoking (if applicable) and questions related to your knowledge of nicotine products and thoughts on different options for regulating them.
2. Nicotine diary: You will be asked to write down the type of nicotine products that you use, and when you use them, for three days in a row.
3. On the third day, collect all the urine that you produce for the next 24 hours in a large bottle that we will give you.

At the end of the 24 hour collection (on the fourth day), you will need to return your completed diary and the bottle of urine as soon as possible after you finish the collection. We recommend organising the time and location of the collection with the research team the day before to make sure they are available to collect these items from you.

Eligibility 

Who can take part?

Anyone who is aged 18 years or older and uses any product that contains nicotine at least once a day:

• Smoking products: manufactured cigarettes, roll-your-own cigarettes, cigars, water pipes
• Electronic cigarettes or other vaping devices for use with nicotine liquid
• Nicotine replacement therapy products: e.g., nicotine gum, lozenges, patches

Who cannot participate?

• People who regularly smoke substances other than tobacco, such as cannabis, cannot participate in this study.
• People who cannot commit to collecting all their urine for a 24 hour period and filling in the product use diary should not participate in this study.

Participant Benefits 

A $100 Coles-Myer gift voucher will be provided to participants. If you are interested in quitting smoking, our study team can also provide further information and referral to quit smoking support.

Register your interest 

More details on the project can be found here.

If you would like to register please complete the expression of interest form via the link below. Alternatively please phone: 0447 306 132 or email nicotineproject@uq.edu.au.

We will contact you to organise delivery or collection of the bottle and survey questions.

Register your interest

This study has been approved by The University of Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee [Approval No.2021/HE002652]