Making e-cigarette nicotine less appealing to young people
Project 1: Manipulating E-cigarette Nicotine to Promote Public Health
We will change the type, amount, and chemical form of nicotine in e-cigarettes to make them less attractive to young adults while still satisfying older smokers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11182687 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
From your perspective, we will compare e-cigarettes that differ in nicotine form (free-base vs protonated), concentration, and isomer composition to see how pleasant and addictive they feel. Participants will include young adults and older smokers who will use or sample products during lab sessions and report their experiences, while researchers measure use patterns and biological markers like nicotine metabolites. The project will also examine short-term toxicity signals from different formulations. Results will be used to recommend nicotine product standards aimed at reducing youth appeal without blocking a less harmful option for adult smokers.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal participants are adults aged 21 and older, including young adults who use or are attracted to e-cigarettes and older smokers who might consider switching.
Not a fit: People under 21, those who have already quit nicotine entirely, or those not using e-cigarettes are unlikely to directly benefit from participating.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help reduce e-cigarette uptake and addiction among young people while preserving less harmful options for adult smokers.
How similar studies have performed: Prior research shows nicotine form and concentration can change appeal and delivery, but using those findings to set product standards that protect youth while serving adult smokers is a newer, less-tested approach.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Wagener, Theodore Lee — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Wagener, Theodore Lee
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.