Overview

Description:

This project, known as TCORS Project 4, will identify dimensions of e-cigarette product diversity that put young adult never-smokers at risk of using e-cigarettes, yet do not deter middle/older adult smokers from adopting and potentially switching to e-cigarettes. In two studies, subjects will self-administer e-cigarette products varied according to three dimensions: flavor (e.g., sweet vs. menthol vs. tobacco); propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin ratio (e.g., 20:80 vs. 40:60 vs. 60:40 vs. 80:20); and packaging design (e-liquid characterizing flavor label [e.g., “peach”] vs. youth-oriented non-characterizing flavor [e.g., “gummy heaven”] vs. non-characterizing flavor + cartoon).

Project Aims:

Aim 1: To determine which dimensions of e-cigarette product diversity differentially affect product appeal in never-smoking young adult e-cigarette users and middle-aged/older adult smokers with an interest in, but no significant experience with, e-cigarettes.

Aim 2: To determine which dimensions of e-cigarette product diversity differentially affect abuse liability in never-smoking young adult e-cigarette users and ability to resist smoking in middle-aged/older adult smokers with an interest in, but no significant experience with, e-cigarettes.

Aim 3: To examine sex differences in the effects of product diversity on appeal, abuse liability, and ability to resist smoking by testing sex and product dimension interactions.

Principal Investigator