Actively Recruiting
Sensory Evaluation of Cigarettes Claiming Removal of Menthol as a Characterizing Flavor
Led by Roswell Park Cancer Institute · Updated on 2026-04-06
30
Participants Needed
1
Research Sites
N/A
Total Duration
On this page
AI-Summary
What this Trial Is About
Researchers are evaluating how well adults who currently smoke daily can identify cigarette flavors, focusing on menthol cigarettes. Menthol cigarettes, which have a minty aroma and cooling effects, play a significant role in tobacco use and dependence. This study aims to understand if smokers in New York can identify and describe flavors in the same cigarette brands sold in New York versus California, following California's ban on menthol cigarettes in 2022. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups, called Block Alpha or Block Beta. Each participant attends three testing sessions spaced at least 48 hours but no more than one week apart. During the first session, they complete the Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT). The second session involves smelling 16 different cigarette products in vials and rating their smells. The third session consists of taste testing three cigarettes and measuring the cooling sensation using a visual scale. All tests are conducted only when participants are free from illness or toxicity. Throughout the study, participants complete sensory questionnaires via a web-based app to record their experiences. Researchers measure the presence of menthol smell, mint-like aromas, and cooling sensations during the taste test over up to one year. The study monitors participant health carefully and excludes those with recent respiratory infections or smell and taste impairments. The total involvement includes multiple visits for sensory testing and questionnaire completion to gather detailed insights on cigarette flavor perception.
CONDITIONS
Brief Title
Sensory Tests of Cigarettes for Identification of Flavors in Current Daily Smoking Adults
Who Can Participate
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if you...
- Aged 21-55 years old
- Current daily smoker of factory-made menthol cigarettes
- General good health (assessed by self-rated health item)
- Completion of Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT) with no identification of deficits
You will not qualify if you...
- Daily concurrent use of other tobacco products (e.g., e-cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco)
- Known allergies to mint (peppermint, spearmint), menthol
- Self-reported olfactory or taste deficits
- Pregnant or nursing participants, as indicated by self-report
- History of medications known to interfere with sense of smell
- Positive diagnosis of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) within 10 days of enrollment
- Current upper respiratory infection or sinus congestion (e.g., cold, flu, seasonal allergies) (by self report)
AI-Screening
AI-Powered Screening
Complete this quick 3-step screening to check your eligibility
Your Study Journey
Duration - 2 to 4 weeks
Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial.
1 screening and enrollment visit (in-person)
Duration - Approximately 2 weeks
Participants complete 3 testing sessions including smell and taste tests of cigarette products, with each session lasting 1 to 2 hours and spaced at least 48 hours apart but no more than 1 week apart.
3 visits, each 1 to 2 hours (in-person), spaced 48 hours to 1 week apart
Trial Site Locations
Total: 1 location
1
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, New York, United States, 14263
Actively Recruiting
How is the study designed?
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Masking
SINGLE
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Model
PARALLEL
Primary Purpose
BASIC_SCIENCE
Number of Arms
2
Similar Trials
Frequently Asked Questions
Have more questions? Get in touch with our team for quick support
Not the Right Trial for You?
Explore thousands of other clinical trials that might be a better match.
Sign up to get personalized trial recommendations delivered to your inbox.
Already have an account? Log in here