This study is an examination of the influence of sweet and cooling flavors on the appeal and abuse potential of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes among susceptible youth.
Researchers will examine the influence of sweet and cooling flavors on the appeal and abuse potential of nicotine-containing e-cigarettes among susceptible youth. Participants will rate the flavor intensity, coolness, sweetness, and irritation experienced using validated rating scales. Forty youth (18-20 years of age) who have experience with e-cigarettes and will participate in 1 laboratory session. They will receive 1 nicotine concentrations (36mg/ml nicotine salt) during the session; during the session they will be exposed, in random order, to sweet (watermelon) and sweet-cooling (watermelon-menthol) flavors combined with the assigned session nicotine concentration.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
TRIPLE
Enrollment
42
Flavor of e-liquid - sweet or tobacco
Nicotine level (36 mg/ml)
CMHC, Substance Abuse Center
New Haven, Connecticut, United States
Liking: Difference Score in Liking/Wanting of Each E-cigarette Condition
The Labeled Hedonic Scale will be used to ask about liking and wanting of the e-cigarette (one item Visual Analog Scale with ratings ranging from "most disliked sensation imaginable" to "most liked sensation imaginable" with higher values indicating greater liking). Specific scale semantic structure and corresponding values: most disliked imaginable=-100, dislike extremely=-62.9, dislike very much=-41.6, dislike moderately=-17.6, dislike slightly=-5.9, neutral=0, like slightly=6.3, like moderately=17.8, like very much=44.4, like extremely=65.7, most liked imaginable=100.
Time frame: Following administration of e-cigarette condition 1 (+10 minutes), following administration of e-cigarette condition 2 (+40)
Reinforcing Efficacy: Difference Score in Drug Effects of Each E-cigarette Condition
Difference between e-cigarette effects for each e-cigarette condition as measured by the computerized version of the Drug Effects Questionnaire (DEQ). Participants will self-report their responses using a computer mouse to indicate where on the scale response falls. A modified version of the Drug Effects Questionnaire (DEQ) will be used in which participants rate acute responses to the e-cigarette on a 0-100mm scale from "not at all" (0mm) to "extremely" (100mm). Higher values indicate stronger reinforcing efficacy (i.e., wanting/liking effects).
Time frame: Following administration of e-cigarette condition 1 (+10 minutes), following administration of e-cigarette condition 2 (+40)
Craving: Change in Craving Score for E-cigarette
Difference from baseline in craving for each e-cigarette condition will be measured by the Generalized Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS). Participants will self-report their craving for e-cigarettes using a computer mouse to indicate where on the scale response falls. The Generalized Labeled Magnitude Scales (gLMS) are category ratio scales with seven semantic labels: "no sensation", "barely detectable", "weak", "moderate", "strong", "very strong", and "strongest imaginable", positioned quasi-logarithmically as per empirically determined semantic magnitudes on a 0-100 scale (strongest imaginable at the 100 end).
Time frame: At baseline (+0 minutes), Following administration of e-cigarette condition 1 (+10 minutes), following administration of e-cigarette condition 2 (+40)
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Irritation/Harshness: Difference Score in Irritation of Harshness of Each E-cigarette Condition
Difference in irritation at each e-cigarette condition as measured by the computerized Generalized Labeled Magnitude Scale (gLMS). Participants will self-report their responses using a computer mouse to indicate where on the scale response falls. The Generalized Labeled Magnitude Scales (gLMS) are category ratio scales with seven semantic labels: "no sensation", "barely detectable", "weak", "moderate", "strong", "very strong", and "strongest imaginable", positioned quasi-logarithmically as per empirically determined semantic magnitudes on a 0-100 scale (strongest imaginable at the 100 end).
Time frame: Following administration of e-cigarette condition 1 (+10 minutes), following administration of e-cigarette condition 2 (+40)