Testing how well smokers can identify cigarette flavors
Official title: Sensory Evaluation of Cigarettes Claiming Removal of Menthol as a Characterizing Flavor
Run by Roswell Park Cancer Institute · NCT06816459 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study tests how well daily smokers can recognize different flavors in menthol cigarettes to understand how it affects their smoking habits.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 21 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 30 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Roswell Park Cancer Institute Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Buffalo, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 14, 2025 |
| Main results expected | October 14, 2027 |
| Study ends | October 14, 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 23, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT06816459 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are adults aged 21-55 who are current daily smokers of factory-made menthol cigarettes.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients who do not smoke or who use other tobacco products concurrently may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This clinical trial evaluates the ability of current daily smokers to identify flavors in menthol cigarettes. It involves a consumer panel of adult smokers who will participate in a series of tests assessing their smell and taste perceptions of various cigarette products. Participants will complete three testing sessions, including the Brief Smell Identification Test and specific smell and taste tests for different cigarette samples. The study aims to gather both quantitative and qualitative data on flavor identification and its implications for smoking behavior.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this study could provide insights into how flavoring influences smoking behavior and dependence, potentially informing public health policies.
How similar studies have gone: While studies have explored the effects of menthol on smoking behavior, this specific approach to flavor identification in cigarettes is relatively novel.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 21 years or older * Current daily smoker of factory-made menthol cigarettes * General good health (assessed by self-rated health item) * Completion of Brief Smell Identification Test (B-SIT) with no identification of deficits Exclusion Criteria: * Daily concurrent use of other tobacco products (e.g., e-cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco) * Known allergies to mint (peppermint, spearmint), menthol * Self-reported olfactory or taste deficits * Pregnant or nursing participants, as indicated by self-report * History of medications known to interfere with sense of smell * Positive diagnosis of coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) within 10 days of enrollment * Current upper respiratory infection or sinus congestion (e.g., cold, flu, seasonal allergies) (by self report)
Where it's running
-
Roswell Park Cancer Institute
Buffalo, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Richard J O'Connor — Roswell Park Cancer Institute
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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.