# Impact of a reduced nicotine standard and menthol cigarette ban on reinforcing properties of cigarette smoking among Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) young adults

> **NIH NIH R01** · UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR · 2021 · $99,999

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT
This administrative supplement (NOT-OD-20-032) addresses the appeal and abuse liability of menthol and non-menthol
very low nicotine cigarettes (VLNCs) among young adult (YA; ages 18-26) sexual and gender minority (SGM) menthol
smokers. Although non-menthol cigarette use has declined among YAs, there has been an increase in menthol cigarette
use. Menthol smoking is also higher among SGM adult smokers relative to non-SGM individuals. Results from our recent
study across the state of Oklahoma revealed that 46% of sexual minority YAs reported menthol cigarette use compared
to 30% of heterosexual YAs. Further, SGM menthol smokers are significantly less likely to want to quit smoking. The
appeal of menthol cigarettes may enhance nicotine ingestion and could be one reason for the lower desire to quit among
SGM menthol smokers. The parent grant uses a multi-method laboratory design to assess appeal and abuse liability of
menthol and non-menthol VLNCs using laboratory and ecological momentary assessment (EMA), as well as an
Experimental Tobacco Marketplace (ETM) which will allow us to model how reinforcement of one product may lead to
quitting or substitution of other tobacco products as a function of different product standards. This administrative
supplement will include a new specific aim (Aim 4) to compare differences between SGM and non-SGM YAs on menthol
cigarette reinforcement and tobacco purchasing behavior in the context of a reduced nicotine standard, using the same
laboratory, EMA, and ETM methodologies proposed in the parent grant. Specifically, this new aim has three sub-parts:
Aim 4a will assess relative reinforcement of menthol and non-menthol VLNCs among SGM participants, and whether
menthol reinforcement, measured in the laboratory, differs across SGM and non-SGM YAs. Aim 4b will assess relative
reinforcement of menthol and non-menthol VLNCs among SGM participants measured in the natural environment (via
EMA), and whether menthol reinforcement differs across SGM and non-SGM YAs. Aim 4c will examine differences
between SGM and non-SGM YAs on tobacco purchasing behavior, in the context of a menthol flavor ban and a reduced
nicotine standard using an ETM paradigm. Taken together, while the parent grant focuses on the factors that underlie
menthol appeal among YA smokers more broadly, this administrative supplement will focus on factors that underlie
menthol appeal specifically in a disparate and high-risk group of SGM tobacco users. No data exist on the ways in which
SGM YAs may be differentially influenced by menthol and non-menthol VLNCS, product characteristics that can be
regulated by FDA. We believe this new study aim, which focuses on a vulnerable group of tobacco users who have
disproportionately high rates of menthol cigarette use, will allow for a stronger study conclusion and a more informed
foundation for future FDA actions related to menthol in cigarettes or other tobacco products. Finally, because of th...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10331507
- **Project number:** 3R01DA050990-02S1
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA HLTH SCIENCES CTR
- **Principal Investigator:** Amy M Cohn
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $99,999
- **Award type:** 3
- **Project period:** 2020-05-01 → 2023-04-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10331507

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10331507, Impact of a reduced nicotine standard and menthol cigarette ban on reinforcing properties of cigarette smoking among Sexual and Gender Minority (SGM) young adults (3R01DA050990-02S1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10331507. Licensed CC0.

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