Actively Recruiting
The Role of Flavor in the Substitutability of E-cigarettes for Combustible Cigarettes Among Persistent Smokers
Led by Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine · Updated on 2026-02-19
210
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
170 weeks
Total Duration
On this page
Sponsors
A
Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine
Lead Sponsor
N
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Collaborating Sponsor
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
This between-subjects study aims to evaluate the effect of flavor on initial and sustained switching from combustible cigarettes to e-cigarettes among 210 cigarette smokers. After measuring baseline cigarette smoking rate, participants will be randomized to a six-week regimen of fruit-flavored, tobacco-flavored, or menthol-flavored e-cigarettes and be instructed to switch (versus smoking cigarettes) over a 6-week period. Flavor-associated subjective reward and the reinforcing value of flavored e-cigarettes relative to combustible cigarettes will be assessed as mechanisms.
CONDITIONS
Official Title
The Role of Flavor in the Substitutability of E-cigarettes for Combustible Cigarettes Among Persistent Smokers
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Able to communicate fluently in English (speaking, writing, and reading)
- Male and female smokers older than 21 years
- Smoking at least 5 cigarettes per day for at least the last 12 months
- At least 5 failed quit attempts and prior use of smoking cessation medication
- Have ever used an e-cigarette
- Carbon monoxide (CO) level greater than 10 ppm
- Not regularly using nicotine products other than cigarettes
- Willing to switch to e-cigarettes for 6 weeks using assigned flavors
- Plan to live locally during the study
- Able to give written informed consent and comply with study requirements
You will not qualify if you...
- Regular use of nicotine products other than cigarettes (more than 5 days in past 30 days)
- Current or planned enrollment in a smoking cessation program during the study
- Current use of smoking cessation medication
- CO breath test less than 10 ppm at intake
- History of substance abuse (except nicotine) in past 12 months
- Current alcohol use exceeding 20 standard drinks per week
- Current use of recreational drugs (except nicotine and cannabis)
- Positive breath alcohol test at intake
- Women who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning pregnancy during study
- Serious or unstable disease in past year (e.g. cancer, heart disease)
- Allergies to propylene glycol or flavor additives
- Lifetime history of schizophrenia or psychosis
- Enrollment in conflicting research programs
- Any medical or psychiatric condition that risks participant safety or study integrity
- Significant non-compliance with study protocol as determined by the investigator
AI-Screening
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Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, 19104
Actively Recruiting
Research Team
J
Janet Audrain-McGovern, Ph.D.
CONTACT
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
NONE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary Purpose
TREATMENT
Number of Arms
3
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