Nicotine Pods Tied to More Abstinence

A randomized trial compared 5% nicotine and nicotine-free standardized research pod devices in adults who smoked and wanted to switch completely.

By
Kathryn Wighton
June 19, 2026
6 min

Conexiant

Overview

A randomized clinical trial found that adults using a 5% nicotine pod-based e-cigarette were more likely to achieve cigarette abstinence at 6 weeks compared to those using a nicotine-free device. However, the primary endpoint regarding tobacco-specific carcinogen exposure did not show statistically significant differences between groups.

Background

The rising prevalence of electronic cigarette use among adults, despite a decline in cigarette smoking, necessitates understanding their efficacy in smoking cessation. This study contributes to the evidence base regarding nicotine pods in achieving abstinence from combustible cigarettes.

Data Highlights

Group	Cigarette Abstinence Rate at 6 Weeks	Mean NNAL Levels at Baseline (pg/mg)	Mean NNAL Levels at 6 Weeks (pg/mg)
5% Nicotine	36.5%	338	155
0% Nicotine	11.5%	575	412

Key Findings

Participants using the 5% nicotine pod had a higher rate of verified 7-day cigarette abstinence at 6 weeks (36.5%) compared to the nicotine-free group (11.5%).
Mean NNAL levels decreased in both groups, but the difference was not statistically significant after adjustment.
Lower levels of cyanoethyl mercapturic acid and 3-hydroxypropyl mercapturic acid were observed in the 5% nicotine group.
Participants in the 5% nicotine group reported lower withdrawal and craving scores compared to the nicotine-free group.
At the 10-week follow-up, self-reported abstinence rates favored the 5% nicotine group (32.7% vs 7.7%).

Clinical Implications

Further research is needed on the long-term health implications of nicotine pod-based e-cigarettes.

Conclusion

This study indicates that nicotine pods may support cigarette abstinence, but further investigation is required to understand their impact on toxicant exposure.