Vaping and cigarette use patterns in younger versus older smokers
Factors That Affect Differential Switching and Patterns of ENDS Use Among Younger and Older Smokers: A Mixed Methods Approach
This project will try to see if vaping and cigarette use patterns differ between younger adults (21–34) and older adults (35–65) who have tried or currently use e-cigarettes.
Quick facts
| Study type | Observational |
|---|---|
| Enrollment | 100 (estimated) |
| Ages | 21 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Abramson Cancer Center at Penn Medicine Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) |
| Trial ID | NCT07214168 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
The protocol will recruit 100 current cigarette smokers (50 ages 21–34 and 50 ages 35–65) who have vaped at least once in the past six months or currently use ENDS. Participants will complete three in-person visits in Philadelphia where detailed data on cigarette and ENDS use will be collected, including device characteristics, user preferences, and patterns of use. The design is observational and focuses on trajectories of tobacco use over the scheduled visits rather than assigning treatments. Participants must be willing to smoke a cigarette in a ventilated laboratory during each in-person visit and complete questionnaires and interviews in English.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Current cigarette smokers aged 21–65 who have vaped at least once in the last six months, smoke at least five filtered cigarettes per week for the past year, are not planning to quit before enrollment, and can attend three in-person visits in Philadelphia.
Not a fit: People who do not vape, who regularly use other nicotine products, who plan to quit smoking imminently, or who cannot travel to the Philadelphia visit locations are unlikely to benefit from participation.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the project could reveal age-specific vaping and smoking patterns that help clinicians and policymakers tailor prevention and cessation strategies.
How similar studies have performed: Previous observational cohorts have documented vaping and cigarette behavior and provided useful behavioral insights, though causal links and long-term outcomes remain limited.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female cigarette smokers who are between 21 and 65 years of age. * Self-report having vaped at least once in the last six months (i.e. tried vaping) or are currently vaping. * Self-report smoking at least 5 filtered cigarettes per week for at least the last 12 months. * Not currently undergoing smoking cessation treatment or planning to quit prior to enrollment in the study. * Able to attend 3 in-person visits in the Philadelphia area. * Willing to smoke a cigarette in a ventilated smoking laboratory at each in-person visit. * Capable of giving informed consent, which includes compliance with the requirements and restrictions listed in the combined consent and HIPAA form. * Able to communicate fluently in English (i.e., speaking, writing, and reading). Exclusion Criteria: Smoking Behavior -Use of any nicotine containing products other than cigarettes or ENDS. Participants reporting isolated use of other nicotine containing products less than 5 times per month are eligible to participate. Alcohol and Drug Use * History of substance abuse (other than nicotine) in the past 12 months and/or currently receiving medical treatment for substance abuse. Attendance at alcoholics anonymous or narcotics anonymous meetings will not be considered medical treatment for the purposes of this protocol. * Current alcohol consumption that exceeds 25 standard drinks/week. Medical * Women, including all individuals assigned as female at birth, who are pregnant, breast feeding, or planning a pregnancy over the duration of the study period. * Any psychiatric disorder that (as determined by the Principal Investigator) would interfere with study participation * Serious or unstable medical condition. Applicable conditions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis by the Principal Investigator. General Exclusion * Past, current, anticipated, or pending enrollment in another research program over the study period that could potentially impact participant safety, study data, and/or the study design as determined by the Principal Investigator. * Any circumstance, medical condition, illness, disorder, adverse event (AE), or medication that could compromise participant safety or significantly impact study performance as determined by the Principal Investigator. Participants may be withdrawn for any of the aforementioned reasons at any point throughout the study. * Significant non-compliance with the protocol and/or study design as determined by the Principal Investigator. Participants may be withdrawn at any point throughout the study.
Where this trial is running
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research on Nicotine Addiction — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Angela Aherrera, DrPH, MPH — University of Pennsylvania
- Study coordinator: Valentina Goren, MRA
- Email: vsoup@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- Phone: 215-746-3602
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.