Sex Differences in E-Cigarette Perception
Purpose
This study examines differences between males and females in the appeal and addiction potential of menthol flavored e-cigarettes with and without nicotine.
Conditions
- Nicotine Dependence
- E-cigarette Use
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Between 21 Years and 44 Years
- Eligible Sex
- All
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- Able to read/write in English - Current cigarette smoking - Prior e-cigarette exposure - Biochemically verified cigarette use - Not trying to quit tobacco use
Exclusion Criteria
- Significant medical concerns that would increase study risk - Use of psychoactive drugs unless prescribed and stable - Allergy to menthol or other e-liquid ingredients - Dislike of menthol - Pregnant, trying to get pregnant, breastfeeding
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Crossover Assignment
- Intervention Model Description
- Study is a within subject design. All participants are exposed to the same three e-liquids in randomized order under double-blinded conditions in the Lab 1 sampling session. In Lab 2, two of the three e-liquids (the same two across participants) are tested in a concurrent choice session.
- Primary Purpose
- Other
- Masking
- Triple (Participant, Care Provider, Investigator)
- Masking Description
- Participants will test three e-cigarettes in containing varying levels of nicotine and menthol in a sampling session in Lab 1 in a double blinded randomized order. Investigator and research assistant (i.e., care provider) will know the nicotine concentrations and menthol level of the three e-cigarettes, but will be blinded to the order of presentation/participant. For Lab 2, two of the three e-cigarettes are compared in a choice task. The participant will not know the nicotine or menthol of the e-cigarettes (but as they will be labeled the same as Lab 1, so will have prior experience with them). The investigator and research assistant will know the e-cigarettes as a function of the study design.
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Experimental Sampling Session - Lab 1 |
Participants will sample and rate three menthol flavored e-cigarettes with varying levels of nicotine. |
|
|
Experimental Concurrent Choice Session- Lab 2 |
Participants will make choices between two menthol e-cigarettes with different levels of nicotine. |
|
Recruiting Locations
New Haven, Connecticut 06473
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- Yale University
Detailed Description
The goal of this protocol is to investigate how sex differences in response to menthol and nicotine influence product preference and choice. In this proposal, participants will be exposed to menthol non-nicotine and nicotine containing e-cigarettes and product preference and choice will be examined in a paradigm where a menthol nicotine-containing e-cigarette is progressively more difficult to earn, and a menthol non-nicotine e-cigarette is available at a low, fixed cost. Additionally, it will be investigated how menthol e-cigarettes with and without nicotine impact reward, appeal, and sensory effects in an initial sampling session (secondary and exploratory outcomes).