Altria Group, Inc. · NYSE:MO
Altria — Technical Presentation (September 2019)
23 slides from Altria's technical presentation, Sep 15, 2019
Slide 1: Adult cigarette smokers' expectations, reactions, and future intentions toward reduced nicotine content cigarettes
Adult cigarette smokers’ expectations, reactions, and future intentions toward reduced nicotine content cigarettes Andrea Rae Vansickel, Jan Angel TSRC Sept. 15th-18th, 2019 A. Vansickel | Regulatory Affairs | Altria Client Services LLC | TSRC Sept. 15th-18th, 2019 | FINAL 1
Slide 2: Background and Introduction
Background and Introduction FDA is considering a cigarette nicotine standard to make them “minimally or nonaddictive.” To date, studies suggest potential unintended consequences of a nicotine standard, such as: - Misperceptions of risk and false beliefs about reduced nicotine cigarettes (e.g. By
Slide 3: Study Objectives
Study Objectives To understand adult cigarette smokers’ reactions to the concept of FDA’s proposed nicotine standard prior to and after use of reduced nicotine prototype cigarettes including: - Perceptions of a proposed standard and future very low nicotine (VLN) cigarettes - Expectations of a VLN
Slide 4: In-Context Research Method
In-Context Research Method Combines ethnographic observation with individual interview and group discussion techniques in the context of naturalistic ad libitum smoking experience The social environment simulates occasions in which adult smokers may typically choose to smoke Ad lib smoking in
Slide 5: In-Context Research Setting and Flow
In-Context Research Setting and Flow Check-In and Introductions Rescreening and Context Setting Participants are pre- Moderator gathers the recruited by a local group to explain the set research facility. up and asks intro Participants arrive at questions then reads the venue, check in, the context
Slide 6: In-Context Research Setting and Flow
In-Context Research Setting and Flow Cigarettes contain nicotine. Nicotine is addictive. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is an agency within the US government that sets rules for the tobacco industry. The FDA may require cigarette companies to lower the amount of nicotine in all brands Partic
Slide 7: In-Context Research Setting and Flow
In-Context Research Setting and Flow Check-In and Introductions Pre-Trial Rescreening and Context Expectations & Setting Perceptions Participants are pre- Moderator gathers the Moderator asks pre- recruited by a local group to explain the set planned and probative research facility. up and asks intr
Slide 8: In-Context Research Setting and Flow
In-Context Research Setting and Flow
Slide 9: In-Context Research Setting and Flow
In-Context Research Setting and Flow Check-In and Introductions Pre-Trial Rescreening and Context Expectations & Setting Perceptions We wouldParticipants like to emphasize are pre- that in conducting Moderatorthisgathers research, the we were notModerator trying to asks market, pre- sell or promote
Slide 10: 231 Participants in 7 Geographically Disperse Locations
231 Participants in 7 Geographically Disperse Locations Location Number of Participants Wilmington, NC N = 39, 4 groups Chattanooga, TN N = 59, 8 groups Las Vegas, NV N = 37, 4 groups San Francisco, CA N = 29, 4 groups Chicago, IL N = 23, 4 groups Denver, CO N = 24, 4 groups Richmond, VA N = 20, 4 g
Slide 11: Six Reduced Nicotine Cigarette Prototypes
Six Reduced Nicotine Cigarette Prototypes • Prototype cigarettes: nicotine content reduced up to 90% • 10 and 15 mg tar prototypes • Three adult smoker populations • 2 groups of cigarette smokers planning to quit in the next 30 days 10 mg Tar Prototypes 15 mg Tar Prototypes Preferred 1.3 mg/g 2.4 mg
Slide 12: The VLN Concept is not well-received by the majority of adult cigarette consumers
Pre-Trial The VLN Concept is not well-received by the Expectations & majority of adult cigarette consumers Perceptions Expect a large sensory deficit in strength/impact Concerns of smoking more cigarettes Skepticism of why there would be such a standard “…like sucking air” “We will all smoke m
Slide 13: Many adult cigarette consumers perceive a VLN cigarette would be safer or healthier
Pre-Trial Many adult cigarette consumers perceive a Expectations & VLN cigarette would be safer or healthier Perceptions “The FDA is doing it “Less nicotine means because it’s healthier for less harmful” us” “I’ve been wanting to quit, “It’s a healthier cigarette” this might push me there” A. Vansic
Slide 14: Observations During Ad Lib Usage Suggest Behavioral Disruption
Ad Lib Test Observations During Ad Lib Usage Suggest Cigarette Behavioral Disruption Use Period Many participants were observed puffing intensively or smoking cigarettes back to back - Adult smokers later corroborated observations, reporting usage of more cigarettes than they typically smoke in th
Slide 15: Most adult cigarette consumers expressed dissatisfaction with the test cigarettes
Post-Use Most adult cigarette consumers expressed Reactions and Perceptions dissatisfaction with the test cigarettes “I smoked four and still don’t “Not a lot of reward for feel like I got anything” the work you put into it” “I felt like I was chasing “It’s like bad food – the relief” afterwards you
Slide 16: Probed for any positive aspect: smoothness, easy to smoke, quality of taste
Post-Use Reactions and Probed for any positive aspect: adult cigarette Perceptions consumers noted smoothness, “easy to smoke,” quality of taste, adequate if only option -- Some retained prior concerns of increased consumption -- Others appear to accept lower impact/perceived smoothness “The more I
Slide 17: Adult cigarette consumers express a breadth of potential unintended consequences
Post-Use Adult cigarette consumers express a breadth of Reactions and potential unintended consequences Perceptions • Concerns of youth appeal • Implications of lower perceived sensory impact • Preference for higher tar (perceived strength) prototypes “A new smoker would smoke “For the health reason
Slide 18: Post-Use Reactions to a Potential Future VLN Scenario
Future Use Intentions Post-Use Reactions to a Potential Future VLN Scenario Initially some adult cigarette consumers say they may quit, and replace cigarettes with other tobacco or non-tobacco products Upon reflection, most adult smokers state that they would likely continue to smoke, would try
Slide 19: Breadth of Potential Unintended Consequences
Breadth of Potential Unintended Consequences Many adult smokers believe that lower nicotine = lower harm Some suggest that VLN cigarettes may serve as an entry point into the category for non-smokers - Misperceptions of risk - Perceived airiness There was considerable indication that many smok
Slide 20: Breadth of Potential Unintended Consequences
Breadth of Potential Unintended Consequences Intention to find the most acceptable cigarette included consideration of: - Illicit sources (e.g., internet, local sources, foreign countries, home grown) - Higher tar/different brand cigarettes Adult smokers expressed likelihood to continue to smoke
Slide 21: Limitations of Study
Limitations of Study Qualitative Not nationally representative Intentions in response to a potential future scenario Based on prototype cigarettes - with nicotine content higher than 0.4 mg/g - with sensory deficits A. Vansickel | Regulatory Affairs | Altria Client Services LLC | TSRC Sept.
Slide 22: Summary and Conclusions
Summary and Conclusions The majority of participants experienced deficits in sensory performance and tobacco satisfaction, regardless of cigarette prototype Some adult smokers said that they may quit or cut down on cigarettes - but would likely supplement with alternative tobacco product usage
Slide 23: References
References Ali, Al-Shawaf, Whang, King. U.S. adults’ attitudes toward lowering nicotine levels in cigarettes. Am J Prev Med 2019, 57(3): 403-407 Byron, Jeong, Abrams, Brewer. Public misperception that very low nicotine cigarettes are less carcinogenic. Tob Control 2018, 27(6): 712-714 Mercinca
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