PSUe-cigResearch

Thank you for taking the time to participate in the study! Your input is valued.

Thank you for taking the time to look at the study. I am sorry that you think it is rigged--can I answer any questions for you to perhaps ease your mind? The reason we ask participants not to use nicotine while participating during the survey is because nicotine has been demonstrated to affect mood and desire. Not everyone will react this way (as you know many e-cig users don't even use nicotine in their liquid), but in order to have a valid study we have to make the experience as similar for all the participants as possible. If some are using nicotine during the survey and others are not, artificial differences in responses could show up, thus invalidating our results.

While I appreciate your concerns--I can assure you this is not "twist and shout journalism." This is not agenda driven or ideological. We have no ties to advertising or packaging or any kind of legislation, nor are we studying the effects of certain types of advertising or ages, etc. This is a legitimate study from a legitimate university. This study is very typical of other studies of craving in other populations, such as cigarette smokers. We acknowledge e-cigarettes are not the same as cigarettes, and that is one of the reasons for the study--to see what works the same and what does not.

The Addiction, Smoking and Health lab at Penn State University is currently recruiting electronic cigarette users to participate in an online survey. We would like to find out more about how and why certain images increase one’s desire to use e-cigs. If you agree to and are eligible to participate, you will have the chance to enter and win a $100 gift card. If you are interested and would like to learn more about the study, please go to https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_eaPIgHeEBFmEIiV to answer questions regarding your electronic cigarette use and to determine your eligibility. Thank you!