Teens swayed by older-looking influencers in vaping ads, study finds
NCT ID NCT07694739
First seen Jul 10, 2026 · Last updated Jul 21, 2026 · Updated 6 times
Summary
This study investigates how the perceived age of social media influencers in e-cigarette marketing videos influences teenagers' views on vaping. Researchers show 6,000 adolescents aged 14–17 videos where the influencer's age appearance is altered using AI, then measure harm perceptions, appeal, and susceptibility to vaping. The goal is to understand how marketing features shape youth attitudes toward e-cigarettes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could inform regulations on e-cigarette marketing to reduce youth vaping initiation.
- What could go wrong
- This is an observational experiment, not a treatment trial. Results may not reflect real-world behavior or lead to policy changes.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 6,000 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2027
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Dec 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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14 to 17 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * 14-17 years of age, * English fluency, Exclusion Criteria: Not meeting the following criteria: * 14-17 years of age, * English fluency,
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
1 site. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
ClinicalTrials.gov lists the study team's own contact details, including names and phone numbers. We don't republish those.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California, 90032, United States
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Guam school curriculum aims to curb teen vaping and betel nut use