# Project 3

> **NIH NIH U54** · UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA · 2023 · $566,609

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY: PROJECT 3 (P3)
P3 examines which features of ONPs increase abuse liability and product appeal in young adult vapers. To
accomplish this, P3 will use virtual (Zoom) visits to recruit a nationwide sample of 320 current e-cigarette users
aged 21-25 years who are not planning to quit vaping and open to trying ONPs. We will conduct product appeal
and abuse liability tests in a mixed factorial design varying ONPs by product type (nicotine pouch v. nonmedicinal
gum) × Flavor (mint v. fruit) × Nicotine Concentration (4mg v. 2mg). Aim 1 is to assess the sensory appeal
Hypotheses: 1a) Based on preliminary data, we predict greater appeal (e.g., willingness to use again) and
desirable sensory attributes for gum vs. pouches and low vs. high nicotine. Given that mint masks nicotine’s
bitterness and irritating effects, we hypothesize:1b) Mint will suppress the sensory appeal-reducing (and
irritation-enhancing) effects of high vs. low nicotine (nicotine × flavor interaction). Aim 2 is to characterize ONP
abuse liability. Using the highest rated mint and fruit ONPs from the previous appeal session, abuse liability for
both flavors will be measured after 30-min standardized ONP self-administration via: i) positive subjective drug
effects, withdrawal/urge relief, behavioral economic indices of ONP reward value, and novel dual use liability
measures (i.e., motivation to use the ONP when e-cigarette use is constrained), and ii) naturalistic use after
provision of study ONP in 1-week follow-up. Hypotheses: 2a) subjective drug effects, withdrawal/urge relief, ONP
reward value, indices of demand, and naturalistic self-administration will be greater for high vs. low nicotine; 2b)
ONP reward value, indices of demand, and naturalistic self-administration will be higher for gum (vs. pouch) 2c)
ONP reward value, indices of demand, and naturalistic self-administration will be higher for mint than fruit,
especially in the high nicotine condition (nicotine × flavor interaction). Aim 3 is to examine ONP appeal and
abuse liability among sexual/gender minority (relative to majority) participants. We will include 20% (n = 64) self-
identified SGM participants. Hypotheses: 3a) Given prior work, we predict that subjective and behavioral indices
of appeal and abuse liability will be higher in SGM vs. heterosexual/cisgendered participants. Although we have
no hypothesis that SGM will moderate the influence of flavor, nicotine concentration or ONP type, this possibility
will be explored in regression models. Implications for regulation: If certain combinations of ONP types, flavors,
and nicotine concentrations improve the user experience and enhance abuse liability, these products could
encourage new e-cigarette+ONP dual use patterns (e.g., use ONPs at times when vaping is not possible). This
could provide the FDA with evidence that denying marketing applications or prioritizing enforcement of illegal
marketing for these specific ONPs could prevent AYAs who try ONPs fro...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10664808
- **Project number:** 2U54CA180905-11
- **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
- **Principal Investigator:** Alayna Pauline Tackett
- **Activity code:** U54 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2023
- **Award amount:** $566,609
- **Award type:** 2
- **Project period:** 2013-09-19 → 2028-08-31

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10664808

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10664808, Project 3 (2U54CA180905-11). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10664808. Licensed CC0.

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