How sex affects the appeal of e-cigarette flavors for adult smokers

Sex Differences in E-Cigarette Flavor Sensory Perception As It Relates to Appeal and Reinforcing Efficacy Among Adult Smokers

NIH-funded research Yale University · NIH-10870196

This study looks at how men and women who smoke feel about different e-cigarette flavors, especially sweet and cool ones, to see why women might like flavored e-cigarettes more and how that affects their quitting efforts.

Quick facts

Grant typeCareer grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionYale University NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (New Haven, United States)
Project IDNIH-10870196 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how male and female adult smokers perceive different e-cigarette flavors, focusing on sweetness and cooling sensations. It aims to understand why female smokers may have a stronger preference for flavored e-cigarettes and how this influences their smoking behavior and cessation efforts. The study will involve testing the appeal and reinforcing effects of various e-cigarette flavors in a controlled setting, comparing responses between genders. By examining these differences, the research seeks to provide insights that could improve smoking cessation strategies tailored to gender-specific preferences.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are adult smokers, particularly females, who use or are interested in e-cigarettes.

Not a fit: Patients who do not smoke or are under 21 years old may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to more effective smoking cessation programs that consider gender differences in flavor preferences.

How similar studies have performed: Previous research has indicated that sensory perception can significantly influence smoking behavior, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.

Where this research is happening

New Haven, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-10 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.