Nicotine and toxicant levels in mental health service users
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Understanding nicotine levels and chemicals from smoking and vaping in people using mental health services
IRAS ID
278382
Contact name
Ann McNeill
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 11 months, 31 days
Research summary
People with mental health conditions have different smoking patterns compared with the general population (e.g. they smoke more heavily and extract more nicotine from their cigarettes). The resulting harm of heavy smoking among people with a mental health condition is well documented. E-cigarette use has become popular among smokers and ex-smokers in the general population, with people using them for smoking cessation, cigarette reduction or to minimise tobacco withdrawal symptoms when smoking is prohibited. Research about the long-term health impacts of e-cigarette use in the general population is limited but shows e-cigarettes to be much safer than cigarettes as measured by levels of toxicant chemicals in biofluid samples. However, some studies have shown that e-liquid solutions and vapour may contain trace amounts of chemicals which have a negative effect of health including known carcinogens. It is unknown if different patterns of e-cigarette use exist in people with a mental health condition. Therefore, it is important to measure e-cigarette use and associated level of toxicant chemicals compared with tobacco use in mental health service users. However, we have no proof of concept that this will 1) be feasible or acceptable to inpatient mental health service users and 2) if our procedures for urine sample collection, transportation and analysis are also feasible. Therefore, this study aims to test the feasibility and acceptability of collecting urine samples from inpatient mental health service users. Participants who either 1) smoke, 2) vape, 3) smoke and vape, 4) use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) without smoking and vaping, and 5) do not use any nicotine products (i.e. tobacco cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and NRT) will be asked to self-report smoking and vaping information and supply urine samples so they can be analysed for tobacco-related chemicals such as nicotine and carcinogens.
REC name
London - Central Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/LO/0267
Date of REC Opinion
8 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion