Remote Smoking Research Study

Researchers at The Ohio State University are conducting a study to determine how flavors of e-cigarettes compare to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in terms of their effect on how people use tobacco. 

Fast Facts

Individuals ages 21+

Smoke 5+ Cigarettes Daily and Have Been for at Least 1 Year

Compensation Provided

Conducted in the Following Cities: Aurora, CO | Bellevue, WA | Las Vegas, NV | Sacramento, CA | Tempe, AZ

Study Background

Researchers at Ohio State University want to better understand how flavors of e-cigarettes effect how people use tobacco, quantity smoked, withdrawal symptoms, cravings, dependence, and more! 

This study will determine the impact of e-cigarette flavors on product appeal, dependency, and use.  We will recruit 1,500 smokers and assign each participant to one of three groups.  One group will receive tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes, a second group will receive a selection of 6 different e-cigarette flavors, and the third group will receive nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches and lozenges.  Each participant will be provided with 12 weeks’ worth of study product, and we will encourage them to switch from using cigarettes to using their study e-cigarette or NRT.

Study Background

Researchers at Ohio State University want to better understand how flavors of e-cigarettes effect how people use tobacco, quantity smoked, withdrawal symptoms, cravings, dependence, and more! 

This study will determine the impact of e-cigarette flavors on product appeal, dependency, and use.  We will recruit 1,500 smokers and assign each participant to one of three groups.  One group will receive tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes, a second group will receive a selection of 6 different e-cigarette flavors, and the third group will receive nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) patches and lozenges.  Each participant will be provided with 12 weeks’ worth of study product, and we will encourage them to switch from using cigarettes to using their study e-cigarette or NRT.

Additional Information

To examine the effect of different e-cigarette flavors on e-cigarette appeal and use, including initial trial, days used during period of product provision, and purchase and continued use after 12 weeks.

You may qualify for this study if you meet the following criteria.

  • Ages 21+
  • Smoke 5+ cigarettes daily and have been for at least 1 year
  • Willing to switch to using either an e-cigarette or nicotine patches/lozenges (NRT) for study purposes
  • Speak English
  • Own a smartphone
  • Not currently using smoking cessation medications, NRT, or actively seeking treatment for smoking cessation
  • Not using e-cigarettes more than 4 days a month
  • Not diagnosed with lung disease, asthma, cystic fibrosis, heart disease, or COPD
  • If female- not pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
  • No stroke in the past 3 months

Participants are enrolled in the study for 26 weeks, and can expect the following: 

  • This study is entirely remote.
  • After online screening, participants are contacted by phone for enrollment and informed consent.
  • Participants receive 5 phone calls from research study staff to provide study orientation, product education, confirm study product was received, answer any questions about study products, and to debrief at the end of the study.
  • Participants are randomized to receive a study e-cigarette (EC) or nicotine patch and lozenge, which study staff will ship to them along with other study materials (such as informational pamphlets and a portable carbon monoxide monitor (iCO) for breath tests)
  • Participants are asked to complete 5 surveys on their phone and provide breath tests with their iCO monitor.

Compensation is provided up to $150 for your participation.

There is no cost for you to participate in our research study.