VapingUSC TCORS P4NCT07849790
Social Media Influences on Perceptions of Alternative Nicotine and Nicotine-like Vaping Products Among Youth and Young Adults (AYA)
A study testing An image resembling a social media post in people with Vaping, run by University of Southern California at 1 site in United States.
Trial summary
The purpose of this study is to present images featuring various alternative nicotine and nicotine-like vaping products to assess adolescents' and young adults' harm and appeal perceptions of, and susceptibility to use these products, as well as to assess whether these perceptions and susceptibility are moderated by… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 14 to 25 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Vaping
- What is being tested?
- An image resembling a social media post
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 2,829 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- 20 Aug 2025to 31 Aug 2025
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 14 to 25 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Child, Adult
Who may be able to join
- being able to complete the online survey in English
- provides parental consent and youth assent or adult consent
Who cannot join
- younger than 14 or older than 25
- no parental consent and youth assent or adult consent
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, 90032
About this study
Official title: Social Media Influences on Perceptions of Alternative Nicotine and Nicotine-like Vaping Products Among Youth and Young Adults (AYA), University of Southern California, Tobacco Centers for Regulatory Science (USC TCORS P4)
The purpose of this study is to present images featuring various alternative nicotine and nicotine-like vaping products to assess adolescents' and young adults' harm and appeal perceptions of, and susceptibility to use these products, as well as to assess whether these perceptions and susceptibility are moderated by participants' age, sex at birth, race and ethnicity, nicotine and non-nicotine current use, and exposure to nicotine and tobacco product content on social media.
Read the detailed description
This randomized online survey-based experiment was aimed to be conducted among a national sample of U.S. adolescents and young adults recruited by an online panel Cint. Participants viewed three images of flavored disposable vaping products in one of four conditions: synthetic/tobacco-free nicotine, zero-nicotine, ambiguous nicotine ("clean"/ "pure"), or tobacco nicotine (control). After each image harm and appeal perceptions, and susceptibility/intention to use these products, as well as interactions of the experimental conditions with participants' age, sex at birth, race and ethnicity, nicotine and non-nicotine current use, and exposure to nicotine and tobacco product content on social media. Generalized estimating equation models assessed the associations between the experimental conditions and the outcomes.
- Conditions
- Vaping
- Being tested
- An image resembling a social media post
- Keywords
- nicotine, nicotine analogues, nicotine-free, tobacco-free, social media
- Medical subject headings
- Vaping
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
An image resembling a social media postBehavioural
The images varied by 4 conditions, to which participants were randomly assigned. Each participant viewed three images of flavored disposable vaping products presented in random order in one of the following four randomly assigned conditions: synthetic/tobacco-free nicotine, zero-nicotine, ambiguous nicotine ("clean"/ "pure"), or tobacco nicotine (control).
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| an image depicting a tobacco nicotine vaping product | Active comparator | an image resembling a social media post Receives: Behavioral: An image resembling a social media post |
| an image depicting a zero-nicotine vaping product | Experimental | an image resembling a social media post Receives: Behavioral: An image resembling a social media post |
| an image depicting an ambiguous nicotine vaping product | Experimental | an image resembling a social media post Receives: Behavioral: An image resembling a social media post |
| an image depicting a synthetic/tobacco-free nicotine vaping product | Experimental | an image resembling a social media post Receives: Behavioral: An image resembling a social media post |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Harm perceptions of vaping to one's own health
How harmful do you think vaping this product is to your health? assessed on a 5-point ordinal scale (1 = Not at all harmful; 5= extremely harmful)
Measured: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Harm perceptions of vaping to others' health
and How harmful do you think vaping this product is to others' health? assessed on a 5-point ordinal scale (1 = Not at all harmful; 5= extremely harmful)
Measured: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Appeal perceptions of vaping
Vaping this product is: not cool/cool, assessed with 7-point semantic differential scales.
Measured: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Appeal perceptions of vaping
Vaping this product is: not fun/fun, assessed with the 7-point semantic differential scales
Measured: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Appeal perceptions of vaping
Vaping this product is: unattractive/attractive, assessed with 7-point semantic differential scales
Measured: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Susceptibility to vaping product use
If one of your best friends offered you this vape device, would you vape it?, assessed with a 4-point scale "definitely not," "probably not," "probably yes," "definitely yes"
Measured: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Susceptibility to vaping product use
Do you think you might use a vape device like this in the next year?, assessed with a 4-point scale "definitely not," "probably not," "probably yes," "definitely yes"
Measured: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Susceptibility to vaping product use
Do you think you might use a vape device like this soon?, assessed with a 4-point scale "definitely not," "probably not," "probably yes," "definitely yes"
Measured: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Susceptibility to vaping product use
Are you curious about vaping this device?, assessed with a 4-point scale "definitely not," "probably not," "probably yes," "definitely yes"
Measured: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Sep 2026
- Study start20 Aug 2025
- Primary completion31 Aug 2025
- Study completion31 Aug 2025
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for VapingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by University of Southern CaliforniaThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Model description
- Each participant viewed three images of flavored disposable vaping products in one of four conditions: synthetic/tobacco-free nicotine, zero-nicotine, ambiguous nicotine ("clean"/ "pure"), or tobacco nicotine (control). After each image harm and appeal perceptions, and susceptibility/intention to use these products, were assessed. While harm and appeal perceptions were assessed among all participants, susceptibility/intention to use these products was assessed among never-users of nicotine and no-nicotine e-cigarettes.
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 2,829 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- University of Southern California
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Jennifer Unger, University of Southern California
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07849790
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- UP-23-00724B
- Acronym
- USC TCORS P4
- Status last verified
- Sep 2026
- First submitted
- 24 Sep 2026
- Last updated
- 5 Oct 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No: There is no need to share IPD with other researchers.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 5 Oct 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Social Media Influences on Perceptions of Alternative Nicotine and Nicotine-like Vaping Products Among Youth and Young Adults (AYA), University of Southern California, Tobacco Centers for Regulatory Science (USC TCORS P4)
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07849790
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- USC TCORS P4 / UP-23-00724B
- Conditions
- Vaping
- Keywords
- nicotine, nicotine analogues, nicotine-free, tobacco-free, social media
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 2,829 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- University of Southern CaliforniaUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 20 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Aug 2025 (actual)
- Study completion
- 31 Aug 2025 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Sep 2026 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The purpose of this study is to present images featuring various alternative nicotine and nicotine-like vaping products to assess adolescents' and young adults' harm and appeal perceptions of, and susceptibility to use these products, as well as to assess whether these perceptions and susceptibility are moderated by participants' age, sex at birth, race and ethnicity, nicotine and non-nicotine current use, and exposure to nicotine and tobacco product content on social media.
Detailed description
This randomized online survey-based experiment was aimed to be conducted among a national sample of U.S. adolescents and young adults recruited by an online panel Cint. Participants viewed three images of flavored disposable vaping products in one of four conditions: synthetic/tobacco-free nicotine, zero-nicotine, ambiguous nicotine ("clean"/ "pure"), or tobacco nicotine (control). After each image harm and appeal perceptions, and susceptibility/intention to use these products, as well as interactions of the experimental conditions with participants' age, sex at birth, race and ethnicity, nicotine and non-nicotine current use, and exposure to nicotine and tobacco product content on social media. Generalized estimating equation models assessed the associations between the experimental conditions and the outcomes.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Basic science
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
- Model description
- Each participant viewed three images of flavored disposable vaping products in one of four conditions: synthetic/tobacco-free nicotine, zero-nicotine, ambiguous nicotine ("clean"/ "pure"), or tobacco nicotine (control). After each image harm and appeal perceptions, and susceptibility/intention to use these products, were assessed. While harm and appeal perceptions were assessed among all participants, susceptibility/intention to use these products was assessed among never-users of nicotine and no-nicotine e-cigarettes.
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| an image depicting a tobacco nicotine vaping product | Active comparator | Behavioral: An image resembling a social media postan image resembling a social media post |
| an image depicting a zero-nicotine vaping product | Experimental | Behavioral: An image resembling a social media postan image resembling a social media post |
| an image depicting an ambiguous nicotine vaping product | Experimental | Behavioral: An image resembling a social media postan image resembling a social media post |
| an image depicting a synthetic/tobacco-free nicotine vaping product | Experimental | Behavioral: An image resembling a social media postan image resembling a social media post |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 14 to 25 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Child, Adult
Key inclusion criteria (2 listed)
- being able to complete the online survey in English
- provides parental consent and youth assent or adult consent
Key exclusion criteria (2 listed)
- younger than 14 or older than 25
- no parental consent and youth assent or adult consent
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| An image resembling a social media postThe images varied by 4 conditions, to which participants were randomly assigned. Each participant viewed three images of flavored disposable vaping products presented in random order in one of the following four randomly assigned conditions: synthetic/tobacco-free nicotine, zero-nicotine, ambiguous nicotine ("clean"/ "pure"), or tobacco nicotine (control). | Behavioural | an image depicting a synthetic/tobacco-free nicotine vaping product, an image depicting a tobacco nicotine vaping product, an image depicting a zero-nicotine vaping product, an image depicting an ambiguous nicotine vaping product |
Primary outcome
Harm perceptions of vaping to one's own health
Time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
How harmful do you think vaping this product is to your health? assessed on a 5-point ordinal scale (1 = Not at all harmful; 5= extremely harmful)
Harm perceptions of vaping to others' health
Time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
and How harmful do you think vaping this product is to others' health? assessed on a 5-point ordinal scale (1 = Not at all harmful; 5= extremely harmful)
Appeal perceptions of vaping
Time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Vaping this product is: not cool/cool, assessed with 7-point semantic differential scales.
Appeal perceptions of vaping
Time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Vaping this product is: not fun/fun, assessed with the 7-point semantic differential scales
Appeal perceptions of vaping
Time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Vaping this product is: unattractive/attractive, assessed with 7-point semantic differential scales
Susceptibility to vaping product use
Time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
If one of your best friends offered you this vape device, would you vape it?, assessed with a 4-point scale "definitely not," "probably not," "probably yes," "definitely yes"
Susceptibility to vaping product use
Time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Do you think you might use a vape device like this in the next year?, assessed with a 4-point scale "definitely not," "probably not," "probably yes," "definitely yes"
Susceptibility to vaping product use
Time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Do you think you might use a vape device like this soon?, assessed with a 4-point scale "definitely not," "probably not," "probably yes," "definitely yes"
Susceptibility to vaping product use
Time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment
Are you curious about vaping this device?, assessed with a 4-point scale "definitely not," "probably not," "probably yes," "definitely yes"
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 5 Oct 2026.
- We will upload the anonymized survey data to an NIH-approved repository after the completion of data analysis of the study.Link provided by the sponsor.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No. There is no need to share IPD with other researchers.
Related trials for Vaping
Not yet recruitingPhase 1
PK/PD of Vaping THC-containing Liquids vs. Smoked Cannabis
Cigarette Smoking-Related Carcinoma
Active, not recruiting
Vaping Cessation Using the Ottawa Model for Smoking Cessation Among E-Cigarette Users
Tobacco Smoking, Vaping
Not yet recruitingEarly Phase 1
Lung Health and Breath Biomarkers: Acute Effects of Inhaled Cannabis
Cannabis Use, Tobacco
Active, not recruiting
Mindful Breaths: Mindfulness for Young Adult Vaping
Vaping Cessation
Recruiting
Young Adult Tobacco/Nicotine and Cannabis Co-use
Tobacco Use Disorder, Nicotine Dependence
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing An image resembling a social media post in people with Vaping, run by University of Southern California at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 2 inclusion and 2 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 5 Oct 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Harm perceptions of vaping to one's own health (time frame: Assessed 3 times immediately after each of the 3 images during the 5-minute-long online survey-based experiment). The study lists 9 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 5 Oct 2026.