E-liquid Standards for Vaping Appeal

Overseen By The Ohio State Comprehensive Cancer Center

Age: 18 - 65

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Disqualifiers: Pregnancy, Lung disease, Cardiovascular, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: Single session up to 3 hours

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores how different levels and types of nicotine in e-liquids affect vaping preferences. It focuses on young adults who regularly use e-cigarettes and older adults who smoke traditional cigarettes. Participants will try various vaping products, labeled Vaping study EC A through Vaping study EC J, to determine their preferences. Suitable participants include young adult e-cigarette users and older adult smokers who can abstain from nicotine for 12 hours before the study and are comfortable speaking and reading English. As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to understanding vaping preferences and nicotine use.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. However, you must avoid using any nicotine products for 12 hours before the study visit.

Is there any evidence suggesting that this trial's treatments are likely to be safe?

Research shows that vaping carries risks. Studies have found that using e-cigarettes, or vapes, can cause health problems. For example, vaping has been linked to lung injuries and conditions like EVALI, a lung injury related to vaping. Concerns also exist about long-term effects, such as a higher risk of lung cancer and high blood pressure.

Additionally, research suggests that people who both vape and smoke face a higher risk of lung cancer than those who only smoke. A recent study also found that even using e-cigarettes alone can increase the risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and high blood pressure.

In summary, while vaping might seem appealing to some, it is not without risks. Participants in any study on vaping should be aware of these potential health impacts. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about this trial because it aims to uncover how different e-liquid standards influence vaping appeal among both young adult e-cigarette users and older adult smokers. This study is unique because it explores a range of formulations—Vaping study EC A to Vaping study EC J—to determine which e-liquids might attract or deter specific age groups. By focusing on the preferences and habits of these diverse groups, the research could provide valuable insights into tailoring vaping products that could potentially help older smokers transition away from traditional cigarettes or prevent young adults from starting to smoke. This approach is different from standard treatments that often concentrate solely on nicotine replacement or cessation techniques.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for the appeal of electronic cigarettes?

Research has shown that e-liquids with varying nicotine levels can alter the appeal of electronic cigarettes (ECs) to users. The Sweet Spot Study explores how different nicotine types and strengths impact this appeal. This trial includes various treatment arms, such as young adult EC users and older adult smokers, to assess their responses to different e-liquid formulations. Although specific data on the effectiveness of these e-liquids is not yet available, the study aims to find the right balance that might make vaping more or less attractive. Most current studies focus on the health risks of vaping, such as lung injury or increased cancer risk. This research is crucial for understanding how these e-liquids might influence vaping habits in young adults and older smokers. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Theodore L Wagener, PhD

Principal Investigator

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for young adult e-cigarette users and older smokers who can go without any nicotine products for 12 hours before the study visit. Participants must be able to read and speak English.

Inclusion Criteria

I can avoid nicotine products for 12 hours before the study visit.

I am a young adult who uses e-cigarettes or an older adult who smokes.

Exclusion Criteria

I have been diagnosed with a lung disease.

Currently attempting to quit nicotine products

Currently pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants evaluate the effect of e-liquids with varying nicotine levels on the appeal of electronic cigarettes

Single session up to 3 hours

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Vaping study EC A
• Vaping study EC B
• Vaping study EC C
• Vaping study EC D
• Vaping study EC E
• Vaping study EC F
• Vaping study EC G
• Vaping study EC H
• Vaping study EC I
• Vaping study EC J

Trial Overview The Sweet Spot Study tests how appealing electronic cigarettes are when they have different levels of freebase nicotine. It involves trying various e-liquids labeled EC A through EC J in a controlled setting.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Young adult EC users Active Control 10 Interventions

Young Adult EC users

Group II: Older adult smokers Active Control 10 Interventions

Adult smokers

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Lead Sponsor

Trials

350

Recruited

295,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10572885/

Electronic Cigarette Harms: Aggregate Evidence Shows ... This study reviews “the clinical manifestations of vaping related lung injury, including the EVALI outbreak, as well as the effects of chronic vaping on ...

2. cancer.org cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/tobacco/e-cigarettes-vaping.html

E-cigarettes and Vaping | Health Risks of E- ... Recent research indicates that people who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes have a higher risk of getting lung cancer than people who only use cigarettes.

3. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05864586?draw=2&rank=1

Developing E-liquid Product Standards (Sweet Spot Study) The Sweet Spot Study aims to evaluate the effect of e-liquids with nicotine varying in freebase (FB) levels and concentrations on the appeal of electronic ...

4. cdc.gov cdc.gov/tobacco/e-cigarettes/health-effects.html

Health Effects of Vaping | Smoking and Tobacco Use Learn about how using e-cigarettes (vapes) can affect your physical and mental health.

5. psychiatryonline.org psychiatryonline.org/doi/10.1176/appi.neuropsych.20230184

Vaping and the Brain: Effects of Electronic Cigarettes and E ... Another study in mice compared the neurological effects of short-term exposure to EC vapor and smoke from conventional cigarettes over 14 days.

6. hopkinsmedicine.org hopkinsmedicine.org/news/newsroom/news-releases/2025/04/new-analysis-underscores-health-risks-of-e-cigarettes

New Analysis Underscores Health Risks of E-Cigarettes New @hopkinsheart study finds vaping isn't harmless—exclusive e-cigarette use linked to higher COPD & high blood pressure risk ...