Understanding how new e-cigarette flavors and additives affect appeal and potential dependence
Official title: Examining Appeal and Addiction Potential of Novel e-Cigarette Constituents
Funded at Yale University · NIH-11394362 · Data updated 2026-11-12
Researchers at Yale are studying how synthetic coolant and nicotine in e-cig liquids influence how appealing they are and how likely they are to cause continued use among adult vapers.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Yale University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (New Haven, United States) |
| Project start | September 30, 2013 |
| Project end | August 31, 2028 |
| Funding year | 2026 |
| Award (this year) | $340,555 |
| NIH project number | 5U54DA036151-14 |
| Project ID | NIH-11394362 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Adult e-cigarette users (including roughly half who also smoke tobacco cigarettes) who are willing to participate in controlled exposure sessions.
✕Less likely to help
Non-vapers, minors, or individuals unable to provide informed consent are unlikely to benefit from participation.
What this research studies
This project uses people who already vape to compare how different additives—synthetic coolant WS-3 and synthetic nicotine—affect craving and enjoyment, alongside traditional menthol flavors. Participants will try a series of nicotine e-liquids with varying levels of WS-3 and menthol in a controlled setting to measure appeal and potential for addiction. After pilot testing, the study will expose adult e-cig users to nine exposure combinations to gather reliable reports on their experiences and preferences. The goal is to inform FDA considerations about how these constituents might influence user behavior and regulation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could help shape safer product formulations and regulatory decisions to reduce appeal to new or current users, potentially lowering addiction risk.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work using human exposure models has provided insights into flavorants and nicotine effects, supporting the feasibility of this approach.
Where this research is happening
-
Yale University
New Haven, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra — Yale University
- Study coordinator: Krishnan-Sarin, Suchitra
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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.