Adolescence is a critical developmental period for tobacco initiation and progression to regular use and dependence. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has the authority to establish standards for tobacco products for the protection of public health, including the authority to mandate a reduction in the nicotine content of all cigarettes to minimally addictive levels. Numerous studies have found that adult smokers who are switched to very low nicotine content (VLNC) cigarettes experience reductions in smoking rates, nicotine intake, nicotine dependence and abstinence-induced craving relative to those who use normal nicotine content (NNC) cigarettes. However, studies of VLNC cigarettes in adolescent smokers are limited and more information is needed to inform potential product standards. Furthermore, use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), e-cigarettes or vaping devices, has increased dramatically in adolescents. Therefore, effects of VLNC cigarettes on smoking in youth should be examined in the context of vaping device availability. This study is designed to examine how the nicotine content of cigarettes and the nicotine concentration and flavors in e-liquids influence responses to these products in adolescents.~Participants will complete an in-person baseline session in which eligibility criteria are confirmed and background questionnaires are completed. Next, participants will complete five in-person lab sessions in which NNC or VLNC cigarettes are available (based on random assignment). During the first lab session, participants will test the assigned research cigarettes when no alternative product is available. During each of the four remaining lab sessions, smokers' responses to the assigned research cigarettes will be compared to their responses to a vaping device with the following characteristics: 1) no nicotine, tobacco flavor; 2) no nicotine, non-tobacco flavor; 3) moderate nicotine concentration, tobacco flavor; or 4) moderate nicotine concentration, non-tobacco flavor. In each session, after sampling and rating the subjective effects of the products available during that session, participants will make a series of 10 choices. Choices will be for either 2 puffs of the research cigarette, 2 puffs of the vaping device, or abstinence from puffing.
This study is designed to examine how the nicotine content of cigarettes and the nicotine concentration and flavors in e-liquids influence responses to and use of these products in adolescent smokers. Participants will complete a total of six sessions (an in-person screening/baseline session and five lab sessions.