Menthol E-Cigarettes: do they change how you smoke?
NCT ID NCT04521647
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study from Yale University looked at how menthol flavor in e-cigarettes affects smoking behavior and nicotine levels in people who smoke menthol cigarettes. Fourteen adult smokers participated in lab sessions where they used e-cigarettes with menthol or non-menthol flavor. Researchers measured nicotine in the blood to see if menthol changes how much nicotine gets absorbed. The goal was to better understand the link between nicotine metabolism and menthol, which could inform future smoking reduction strategies.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Nicotine (5%) in e-cigarettes with menthol flavor
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could help explain how menthol flavoring influences smoking habits and nicotine intake, potentially guiding future smoking cessation strategies.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early-phase study with only 14 participants, so results may not apply to the general population. It does not test long-term health effects or quitting success.
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
-
Phase 1
The first testing in people. Mainly checks safety and dose, usually in a small group.
- Participants
-
14 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2022
- Finished
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Jul 2023
- 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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21 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
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: * At least 21 years of age * Able to read and write English. * Smoking at least 1 menthol cigarettes/cigars/little cigars per day * Report regular menthol cigarette use * Have at least 200ng/ml urine cotinine * Willing to abstain from combustible tobacco products 12 hrs prior to each experimental session. * not planning a smoking quit attempt. * Have not stopped use due to COVID. * used e-cigarettes at least 10 times in the past six months. * Fully vaccinated against COVID-19. * must report history of JUUL and other nicotine salt/pod devices (i.e., JUUL-like) Exclusion Criteria: * Use of psychoactive drugs including anxiolytics, antidepressants, and other psychostimulants unless prescribed and stable for two months. * Current diagnosis of any severe psychiatric disorder * Any significant current medical condition such as neurological, cardiovascular, endocrine, renal, pulmonary or hepatic pathology that would increase risk or would interfere with/mimic tobacco abstinence. * Known hypersensitivity to propylene glycol and nut allergies. * Pregnant or lactating females. * current criteria for moderate or severe cannabis and alcohol use disorder per DSM-5 criteria. * current criteria for other substance use disorders per DSM-5 criteria. * Seeking treatment to stop smoking. * individuals who do not want to use e-cigarettes. * Uncontrolled asthma (defined as \<20 on Asthma Control Test) AND/OR endorsement of "yes" to environmentally induced bronchospasm that requires prescription Epipen) * blood pressure \>170/\>100 and heart rate \>100 * vaping of CBD/THC or marijuana related products in the past 3 months * For current THC vapers: Any report of mild or great EVALI-related symptoms (i.e. cough, shortness of breath, chest pain, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, fever, chills, or weight loss) without non-EVALI reasonable and proximal cause
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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.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Connecticut Mental Health Center
New Haven, Connecticut, 06519, United States
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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