Product acceptance and cigarette reduction: Results from a Velo® pouch actual use study among United States adults who smoke

Objective Approximately 28.8 million United States adults currently smoke cigarettes. Tobacco Harm Reduction aims to migrate adults who smoke (AWS), and would otherwise continue smoking, to alternative nicotine products. This study evaluated the impact of Velo® products on cigarette consumption over a 6-week actual use period (AUP). Methods In total, 1105 AWS were enrolled from ten United States-based study sites in, 2022 and provided access to 12 Velo® products (selecting up to five at a time) for ad libitum use. Participants' daily tobacco and nicotine product use, including Velo®, was self-reported over a one-week baseline period and throughout the AUP. Descriptive statistics were used to describe tobacco and nicotine consumption over time. Results Overall, 992 participants completed the study. Average participant age was 44.6, and 63.7% were female. Nearly 62% of participants became established Velo® users (using 100 or more pouches) during the AUP, and approximately 20% of established users reduced cigarettes per day (CPD) by at least 50%. Seventy percent of participants indicated a high intention to use Velo® again. Conclusions Among study participants, the majority adopted Velo® Pouches and reduced their CPD, suggesting that Velo® Pouches may benefit public health by providing AWS acceptable alternatives.