Nicotine flux: a new way to gauge how addictive E-Cigarettes are?
NCT ID NCT05430334
First seen Sep 18, 2026 · Last updated Sep 18, 2026
Summary
Researchers at the American University of Beirut are studying whether the rate at which an e-cigarette emits nicotine, called nicotine flux, predicts how much nicotine reaches the body and how users feel. About 142 adult dual users of e-cigarettes and tobacco will use devices with different nicotine concentrations and forms. The team will measure cravings, withdrawal, puffing behavior, and toxicant exposure to see if flux could guide public health rules on e-cigarettes.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- e-liquids with different nicotine concentrations and forms (protonated vs free base) in electronic cigarettes
- What this could lead to
- If nicotine flux predicts nicotine delivery and dependence-related effects, regulators could use it to set product standards that make e-cigarettes less addictive.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small, short-term lab study in adult dual users, so results may not reflect real-world vaping or youth use. Subjective ratings do not prove addiction risk.
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
-
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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142 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Jul 2022
- Finished
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Jul 2025
- 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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18 years and older
- 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: * Must be healthy and above 18 years of age * Must be willing to provide informed consent, attend the lab, and abstain from tobacco/nicotine as required (participants will be instructed to abstain from nicotine/tobacco and/or ENDS use for ≥12h) * A dual ENDS and tobacco user who reports daily use of ENDS (≥ 3 mg/ml nicotine) or cigarettes (any frequency) AND someday use (≥ 3 days/week) of ENDS (≥ 3 mg/ml nicotine) or cigarettes (any frequency) for the past 3 months or longer Exclusion Criteria: * History of chronic disease or an uncontrolled psychiatric condition * History of or active cardiovascular disease, low/high blood pressure, seizures, regular use of a prescription medication (except vitamins/birth control) * Past month use of cocaine, opioids, benzodiazepines, or methamphetamines * Individuals who report using marijuana \>15/30 days * Women will be excluded if they are breast-feeding or pregnant * Participants intending to quit tobacco/nicotine use in the next 30 days and referred to cessation treatment
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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
-
American University of Beirut
Beirut, Beirut, 11-0236, Lebanon
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