Human Laboratory Study of the Effects of Nicotine Product Claims on Appeal, Perceptions, and Use Behavior

February 3, 2026 updated by: Darren Mays, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
This study evaluates knowledge, feelings and thoughts regarding nicotine products among young adults who are susceptible to but do not use tobacco/nicotine and adults who use tobacco/nicotine.

Study Overview

Status

Status

Indicates the current recruitment status or the expanded access status.
Recruiting

Conditions

Conditions

The disease, disorder, syndrome, illness, or injury that is being studied. On ClinicalTrials.gov, conditions may also include other health-related issues, such as lifespan, quality of life, and health risks.

Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.

Detailed Description

PRIMARY OBJECTIVES:

I. Examine the effects of nicotine concentration and source claims on engagement with ONP packaging using laboratory-based psychophysiological assessment.

II. Examine the effects of nicotine concentration and source claims on participant self-reported ONP perceptions, behavioral intentions, and ONP trial.

This is an experimental behavioral study. Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.

Study Type

Study Type

Describes the nature of a clinical study. Study types include interventional studies (also called clinical trials), observational studies (including patient registries), and expanded access.
Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

Enrollment

The number of participants in a clinical study. The "anticipated" enrollment is the target number of participants that the researchers need for the study.
450

Phase

Phase

The stage of a clinical trial studying a drug or biological product, based on definitions developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The phase is based on the study's objective, the number of participants, and other characteristics. There are five phases: Early Phase 1 (formerly listed as Phase 0), Phase 1, Phase 2, Phase 3, and Phase 4. Not Applicable is used to describe trials without FDA-defined phases, including trials of devices or behavioral interventions.
  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact

The name and contact information for the person who can answer enrollment questions for a clinical study. Each location where the study is being conducted may also have a specific contact, who may be better able to answer those questions.

Study Locations

  • United States
    • Ohio
      • Columbus, Ohio, United States, 43210
        • Recruiting
        • Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
        • Contact:
          • Darren Mays, MPH, PhD
          • Phone Number: 614-366-2953
        • Principal Investigator:
          • Darren Mays, MPH, PhD

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

The key requirements that people who want to participate in a clinical study must meet or the characteristics they must have. Eligibility criteria consist of both inclusion criteria (which are required for a person to participate in the study) and exclusion criteria (which prevent a person from participating). Types of eligibility criteria include whether a study accepts healthy volunteers, has age or age group requirements, or is limited by sex.

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Young adult susceptible non-users aged 18-24 who have never used ONPs and have never used but are susceptible to using either:

    • combustible tobacco only (cigarettes, cigars, waterpipe)
    • non-combustible tobacco only (ST, ECs, heated tobacco products)
    • or both combustible and non-combustible tobacco (i.e., dual susceptibility)

  • Adult tobacco users aged 18-65 who have never used ONPs OR have used ONPs >3 months ago and 10 times or less in their lifetime. All adult tobacco users must also be:

    • exclusive combustible tobacco users
    • exclusive non-combustible tobacco users

    • dual users

      • For adult tobacco users, we will define current use as use of combustible and/or non-combustible tobacco every day or some days for 6 months or longer
  • Willing and able to complete an in-person lab visit.

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Age < 18 or > 65
  • Are not susceptible non-users or current tobacco users
  • Are unwilling or unable to complete and in person lab visit.
  • Have used ONPs within the past 3 months
  • Have used ONPs more than 10 times in their lifetime

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Prevention
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm

Participant Group / Arm

A group or subgroup of participants in a clinical trial that receives a specific intervention/treatment, or no intervention, according to the trial's protocol.
Intervention / Treatment

Intervention / Treatment

A process or action that is the focus of a clinical study. Interventions include drugs, medical devices, procedures, vaccines, and other products that are either investigational or already available. Interventions can also include noninvasive approaches, such as education or modifying diet and exercise.
Experimental: Nicotine Concentration: None Displayed; Nicotine Source Claim 1
Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.
Behavioral: 3x3 between-subjects experimental exposure
Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions in a 3 (Nicotine Concentration: None on label, Low, High) x 3 (Nicotine Source Claim: None, "Tobacco Free," "Synthetic Nicotine") between-subjects design. We will stratify randomization by young adult susceptible non-users and adult tobacco users for balance across the conditions. Participants will view 16 oral nicotine pouch pack images in random order that correspond to the nicotine concentration and source claim condition they are randomized to. Within each condition, pack images will vary by 4 brands and 4 flavors per brand. While viewing the images, we will collect psychophysiological data including heart rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.
Experimental: Nicotine Concentration: None Displayed; Nicotine Source Claim 2
Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.
Behavioral: 3x3 between-subjects experimental exposure
Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions in a 3 (Nicotine Concentration: None on label, Low, High) x 3 (Nicotine Source Claim: None, "Tobacco Free," "Synthetic Nicotine") between-subjects design. We will stratify randomization by young adult susceptible non-users and adult tobacco users for balance across the conditions. Participants will view 16 oral nicotine pouch pack images in random order that correspond to the nicotine concentration and source claim condition they are randomized to. Within each condition, pack images will vary by 4 brands and 4 flavors per brand. While viewing the images, we will collect psychophysiological data including heart rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.
Experimental: Nicotine Concentration: None Displayed; Nicotine Source Claim 3
Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.
Behavioral: 3x3 between-subjects experimental exposure
Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions in a 3 (Nicotine Concentration: None on label, Low, High) x 3 (Nicotine Source Claim: None, "Tobacco Free," "Synthetic Nicotine") between-subjects design. We will stratify randomization by young adult susceptible non-users and adult tobacco users for balance across the conditions. Participants will view 16 oral nicotine pouch pack images in random order that correspond to the nicotine concentration and source claim condition they are randomized to. Within each condition, pack images will vary by 4 brands and 4 flavors per brand. While viewing the images, we will collect psychophysiological data including heart rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.
Experimental: Nicotine Concentration: Low; Nicotine Source Claim 1
Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.
Behavioral: 3x3 between-subjects experimental exposure
Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions in a 3 (Nicotine Concentration: None on label, Low, High) x 3 (Nicotine Source Claim: None, "Tobacco Free," "Synthetic Nicotine") between-subjects design. We will stratify randomization by young adult susceptible non-users and adult tobacco users for balance across the conditions. Participants will view 16 oral nicotine pouch pack images in random order that correspond to the nicotine concentration and source claim condition they are randomized to. Within each condition, pack images will vary by 4 brands and 4 flavors per brand. While viewing the images, we will collect psychophysiological data including heart rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.
Experimental: Nicotine Concentration: Low; Nicotine Source Claim 2
Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.
Behavioral: 3x3 between-subjects experimental exposure
Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions in a 3 (Nicotine Concentration: None on label, Low, High) x 3 (Nicotine Source Claim: None, "Tobacco Free," "Synthetic Nicotine") between-subjects design. We will stratify randomization by young adult susceptible non-users and adult tobacco users for balance across the conditions. Participants will view 16 oral nicotine pouch pack images in random order that correspond to the nicotine concentration and source claim condition they are randomized to. Within each condition, pack images will vary by 4 brands and 4 flavors per brand. While viewing the images, we will collect psychophysiological data including heart rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.
Experimental: Nicotine Concentration: Low; Nicotine Source Claim 3
Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.
Behavioral: 3x3 between-subjects experimental exposure
Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions in a 3 (Nicotine Concentration: None on label, Low, High) x 3 (Nicotine Source Claim: None, "Tobacco Free," "Synthetic Nicotine") between-subjects design. We will stratify randomization by young adult susceptible non-users and adult tobacco users for balance across the conditions. Participants will view 16 oral nicotine pouch pack images in random order that correspond to the nicotine concentration and source claim condition they are randomized to. Within each condition, pack images will vary by 4 brands and 4 flavors per brand. While viewing the images, we will collect psychophysiological data including heart rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.
Experimental: Nicotine Concentration: High; Nicotine Source Claim 1
Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.
Behavioral: 3x3 between-subjects experimental exposure
Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions in a 3 (Nicotine Concentration: None on label, Low, High) x 3 (Nicotine Source Claim: None, "Tobacco Free," "Synthetic Nicotine") between-subjects design. We will stratify randomization by young adult susceptible non-users and adult tobacco users for balance across the conditions. Participants will view 16 oral nicotine pouch pack images in random order that correspond to the nicotine concentration and source claim condition they are randomized to. Within each condition, pack images will vary by 4 brands and 4 flavors per brand. While viewing the images, we will collect psychophysiological data including heart rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.
Experimental: Nicotine Concentration: High; Nicotine Source Claim 2
Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.
Behavioral: 3x3 between-subjects experimental exposure
Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions in a 3 (Nicotine Concentration: None on label, Low, High) x 3 (Nicotine Source Claim: None, "Tobacco Free," "Synthetic Nicotine") between-subjects design. We will stratify randomization by young adult susceptible non-users and adult tobacco users for balance across the conditions. Participants will view 16 oral nicotine pouch pack images in random order that correspond to the nicotine concentration and source claim condition they are randomized to. Within each condition, pack images will vary by 4 brands and 4 flavors per brand. While viewing the images, we will collect psychophysiological data including heart rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.
Experimental: Nicotine Concentration: High; Nicotine Source Claim 3
Participants view randomized images of nicotine-containing product packaging and complete a lapse task test on study. Participants also complete questionnaires on study.
Behavioral: 3x3 between-subjects experimental exposure
Participants will be randomly assigned to conditions in a 3 (Nicotine Concentration: None on label, Low, High) x 3 (Nicotine Source Claim: None, "Tobacco Free," "Synthetic Nicotine") between-subjects design. We will stratify randomization by young adult susceptible non-users and adult tobacco users for balance across the conditions. Participants will view 16 oral nicotine pouch pack images in random order that correspond to the nicotine concentration and source claim condition they are randomized to. Within each condition, pack images will vary by 4 brands and 4 flavors per brand. While viewing the images, we will collect psychophysiological data including heart rate, galvanic skin response, and eye tracking.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

In a clinical study's protocol, the planned outcome measure that is the most important for evaluating the effect of an intervention/treatment. Most clinical studies have one primary outcome measure, but some have more than one.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Visual Attention - Dwell Time
Time Frame: 1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Visual attention will be measured via eye movements using SmartEye AI-X eye tracker with a 60 Hz sampling rate. Areas of interest (AOIs) will be predefined for each pack image including: 1) Full pack image; 2) Nicotine concentration; 3) Nicotine source claim; 4) Branding (i.e., brand name, flavors); 5) Warning label. A primary outcome for visual attention will be dwell time on AOIs.
1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Visual Attention - Time to First Fixation
Time Frame: 1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Visual attention will be measured via eye movements using SmartEye AI-X eye tracker with a 60 Hz sampling rate. Areas of interest (AOIs) will be predefined for each pack image including: 1) Full pack image; 2) Nicotine concentration; 3) Nicotine source claim; 4) Branding (i.e., brand name, flavors); 5) Warning label. A primary outcome for visual attention will be time to first fixation on AOIs.
1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Visual Attention - Number of Fixations
Time Frame: 1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Visual attention will be measured via eye movements using SmartEye AI-X eye tracker with a 60 Hz sampling rate. Areas of interest (AOIs) will be predefined for each pack image including: 1) Full pack image; 2) Nicotine concentration; 3) Nicotine source claim; 4) Branding (i.e., brand name, flavors); 5) Warning label. A primary outcome for visual attention will be number of fixations (i.e., saccades) to AOIs.
1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Cognitive Attention
Time Frame: 1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Conceptualized as the cognitive resources allocated to encode a message into working memory, attention will be operationalized as the difference in heart rate (HR) between a baseline period prior to each pack image and during each second of the pack image exposure assessed with ECG. Beats per minute (BPM) will be collected with the Shimmer3 sampled at 512 Hz. This is an established psychophysiological measure of cognitive resources devoted to stimuli processing.
1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Arousal
Time Frame: 1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Arousal is an indicator of physiological activation of the sympathetic nervous system and will be measured by skin conductance using Shimmer3 Galvanic Skin Response EDA sensors sampled at 128 Hz
1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
Recall
Time Frame: 1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
We will capture unaided recall, a measure of storage in memory, via 3 open ended questions on a questionnaire pertaining to nicotine concentration, brand names, and source information corresponding to conditions to which participants are randomized. Responses will be coded, and coding reliability will be established, to create a score with higher values reflecting better recall of information about nicotine dimensions in the stimuli.
1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
ONP Perceptions
Time Frame: 1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
We will capture perceptions of ONPs with 7 items that align with expert recommendations for assessing cognitive and affective aspects of tobacco risk perceptions. Items will assess perceived risk of health harm from ONPs, perceived risk of addiction from ONPs, worry about harm, and worry about addiction. The items are on a 1-7 response scale, have excellent reliability, and are averaged to create an overall score.
1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
ONP Perceptions Relative to Other Products
Time Frame: 1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
We will also capture perceived harm and addictiveness of ONPs relative to cigarettes, smokeless tobacco, and electronic cigarettes using valid items on a 1-5 response scale.
1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
ONP Intentions
Time Frame: 1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)
We will assess curiosity, interest, and likelihood of using ONPs post-exposure. These are valid predictors of future use of novel tobacco and nicotine products among never users. Items are on a 1-7 scale, have excellent reliability, and are combined to create an overall ONP intentions score.
1 day (Single Time Point: During Exposure)

Other Outcome Measures

Other Outcome Measures

For clinical trials, a planned measurement described in the protocol that is used to determine the effect of an intervention/treatment on participants. For observational studies, a measurement or observation that is used to describe patterns of diseases or traits, or associations with exposures, risk factors, or treatment. Types of outcome measures include primary outcome measure and secondary outcome measure.
Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
ONP Trial (Lapse Task)
Time Frame: Single Time Point for 25 Minutes
This is a valid behavioral measure that was originally developed for smoking cue reactivity research and used in prior work by others and our team. The lapse task will assess ONP trial, time to trial, and ONP product selection.
Single Time Point for 25 Minutes

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Sponsor

The organization or person who initiates the study and who has authority and control over the study.
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Collaborators

Collaborators

An organization other than the sponsor that provides support for a clinical study. This support may include activities related to funding, design, implementation, data analysis, or reporting.
National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Investigators

Investigators

A researcher involved in a clinical study. Related terms include site principal investigator, site sub-investigator, study chair, study director, and study principal investigator.
  • Principal Investigator: Darren Mays, MPH, PhD, Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

Helpful Links

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

Study Start

The actual date on which the first participant was enrolled in a clinical study. The "anticipated" study start date is the date that the researchers think will be the study start date.
March 1, 2024

Primary Completion (Estimated)

Primary Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention to collect final data for the primary outcome measure. Whether the clinical study ended according to the protocol or was terminated does not affect this date. For clinical studies with more than one primary outcome measure with different completion dates, this term refers to the date on which data collection is completed for all the primary outcome measures. The "anticipated" primary completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the primary completion date for the study.
September 14, 2028

Study Completion (Estimated)

Study Completion

The date on which the last participant in a clinical study was examined or received an intervention/treatment to collect final data for the primary outcome measures, secondary outcome measures, and adverse events (that is, the last participant's last visit). The "anticipated" study completion date is the date that the researchers think will be the study completion date.
September 14, 2028

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

First Submitted

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submitted a study record to ClinicalTrials.gov. There is typically a delay of a few days between the first submitted date and the record's availability on ClinicalTrials.gov (the first posted date).
December 13, 2023

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The date on which the study sponsor or investigator first submits a study record that is consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. The sponsor or investigator may need to revise and submit a study record one or more times before NLM's QC review criteria are met. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
January 3, 2024

First Posted (Actual)

First Posted

The date on which the study record was first available on ClinicalTrials.gov after National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review has concluded. There is typically a delay of a few days between the date the study sponsor or investigator submitted the study record and the first posted date.
January 5, 2024

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

Last Update Posted

The most recent date on which changes to a study record were made available on ClinicalTrials.gov. There may be a delay between when the changes were submitted to ClinicalTrials.gov by the study's sponsor or investigator (the last update submitted date) and the last update posted date.
February 5, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator submitted changes to a study record that are consistent with National Library of Medicine (NLM) quality control (QC) review criteria. It is the responsibility of the sponsor or investigator to ensure that the study record is consistent with the NLM QC review criteria.
February 3, 2026

Last Verified

Last Verified

The most recent date on which the study sponsor or investigator confirmed the information about a clinical study on ClinicalTrials.gov as accurate and current. If a study with a recruitment status of recruiting; not yet recruiting; or active, not recruiting has not been confirmed within the past 2 years, the study's recruitment status is shown as unknown.
February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

Other Study ID Numbers

Identifiers or ID numbers other than the NCT number that are assigned to a clinical study by the study's sponsor, funders, or others. These numbers may include unique identifiers from other trial registries and National Institutes of Health grant numbers.
  • OSU-23115
  • NCI-2023-08947 (Registry Identifier: CTRP (Clinical Trial Reporting Program))
  • U54CA287392 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

IPD Plan Description

We will consider requests to share de-identified individual participant data by request and according to the investigator's study protocol and institutional data sharing policy.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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