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PubMed · 42585944

E-cigarette product characteristics and packaging features and interest in e-cigarette use: Results from a randomized within-person trial nested in three prospective cohorts.

Jessica L Barrington-Trimis·Feifei Liu·Erin A Vogel·Sandrah P Eckel·Margaret Canady·Abigail Adjei·Adam M Leventhal·Jennifer B Unger·Rob S McConnell
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Abstract

BACKGROUND: Product characteristics and packaging may be key targets for regulation to reduce e-cigarette use among youth, but existing data are limited. METHODS: Data are from an experimental study (2018-2020) nested within three prospective cohorts (age 14-26) in southern California (N&#x2009;=&#x2009;3565). Participants were shown five e-cigarette (e-liquid) packages in a random order that varied in flavor (sweet vs. tobacco), flavor name (descriptive ["blueberry cheesecake"] vs. concept ["smurf cake"] vs. none [number only]), and cartoon image on package (yes/no). For each stimuli, survey items assessed the following outcomes: product appeal (self-enjoyment, others' enjoyment; Likert scale [1-5]), susceptibility to use (use if friends offered, curiosity; 4 ordered responses [definitely not-definitely yes]), peer acceptability (definitely not-definitely yes), and perceived harm (definitely not-definitely yes). Mixed effects proportional odds models evaluated within-person effects of each factor (flavor, flavor name, cartoon) with each outcome. RESULTS: Participants reported greater appeal, susceptibility, and peer acceptability (OR range=3.7-16.9; ps<0.05), and lower perceived harm (OR=0.61; 95%CI=0.53, 0.70) for sweet (vs. tobacco-flavored) e-cigarettes; effects were progressively stronger for younger cohorts. The descriptive flavor name rated higher than the concept flavor (OR range=1.13-2.02; ps<0.05) or number only (OR range=1.18-1.69; ps<0.05) for appeal and susceptibility measures; no differences for concept vs. number were found. The cartoon image rated higher for appeal, curiosity, and peer acceptability (OR range=1.24-1.51; ps<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sweet flavors, descriptive flavor names, and cartoon images may increase the appeal of e-cigarettes among youth and young adults with no history of e-cigarette use, and are key targets for regulation.

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HumansElectronic Nicotine Delivery SystemsFemaleProspective StudiesAdultAdolescentYoung AdultMaleVapingProduct PackagingFlavoring AgentsCaliforniaAdolescentsCartoon imagesE-cigarettesFlavorsPackaging characteristicsProspective cohortsJournal ArticleRandomized Controlled Trial

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Jessica L Barrington-Trimis, Feifei Liu, Erin A Vogel, Sandrah P Eckel, Margaret Canady, Abigail Adjei, Adam M Leventhal, Jennifer B Unger, Rob S McConnell. 2026-07-28. E-cigarette product characteristics and packaging features and interest in e-cigarette use: Results from a randomized within-person trial nested in three prospective cohorts.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2026.113293

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Journal Article; Randomized Controlled Trial resourceAdolescent subjectAdult subjectElectronic Nicotine Delivery Systems subjectFemale subjectHumans subjectJournal Article subjectMale subjectRandomized controlled trials study

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