Social media messages and how they affect teens’ interest in non-combustible tobacco products
Official title: USC Tobacco Center of Regulatory Science - Project 4: Social Media Influences on Engagement and Susceptibility to Non-combustible Tobacco Product Use Among Youth and Young Adults (AYA)
Run by University of Southern California · NCT07721883 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests social media posts showing flavors and stealth use to see if they raise teens’ interest and likelihood to try non-combustible tobacco products.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 14 Years to 17 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 4500 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of Southern California Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | July 1, 2025 |
| Main results expected | November 1, 2027 |
| Study ends | May 1, 2028 |
| Registry record updated | July 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07721883 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are high school students who have parental consent and assent, and can read and speak English.
✕Probably not a fit
Participants for whom messages do not influence engagement or susceptibility may not derive direct personal benefit from the study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Researchers present social media style posts that vary by flavor type and stealth use to adolescents on platforms popular with youth. The study uses a 3-by-2 design to test how these features influence engagement and susceptibility. The approach focuses on textual, image, and short video content to mimic real-world social media exposure. Eligible participants are high school students with parental consent and youth assent, and the study is led by USC with collaboration from the NCI.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, findings could inform policy and counter-marketing efforts to reduce youth susceptibility to non-combustible tobacco products.
How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown that tobacco-related social media content can influence attitudes, though the specific flavor and stealth-use combinations are being tested here.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * High school student * Provides parental consent and youth assent Exclusion Criteria: * No parental consent or youth assent * Can't read or speak English
Where it's running
-
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Jennifer B Unger, PhD
- Email: unger@usc.edu
- Phone: 323-442-8234
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.