Nicotine Dependence, Metabolism and Smoke Intake in Blacks

The primary objectives of the proposed study are to investigate the respective relationships between nicotine dependence and nicotine metabolism (breakdown of nicotine) and smoke intake among African American light smokers (i.e. smokers of 10 or fewer cigarettes per day). The proposed study will also develop a model to estimate nicotine intake from plasma cotinine levels among light smokers. Given that African Americans are disproportionately impacted by tobacco-related diseases, the proposed study will provide novel data to further our understanding of the underlying reasons for smoking-related health disparities.

Light smokers are of particular interest because a majority of African American smokers are self-identified light smokers, and they are an understudied and at-risk group.