Identifying and Examining the Effects of Source and Presentation on Responses to Electronic Cigarette Public Education Messages in Young Adult Vapers and Non-vapers - Part 2
Phase: NA
Conditions: Vaping
Sponsor: University of Massachusetts, Worcester

 
 
 
 
Cover Page for ClinicalTrials.gov 
 
 
Official Title:  
Responses to E-cigarette Message Source and Presentation  
 
NCT Number:  
STUDY00001223 
 
Document Type:  
Study Protocol 
 
Document Date:  
May 23, 2025 
 

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1. TITLE 
Identifying and examining the effects of source and presentation on responses to electronic 
cigarette public education messages in young adult vapers and non-vapers – Part 2 
 
2. EXTERNAL IRB REVIEW HISTORY* 
NA 
 
 
3. PRIOR APPROVALS: 
The devices are not being tested for safety or effectiveness. 
 
Conflict of Interest (COI):   
NA 
 
Clinical Engineering Department: 
The sensor devices used in this study have not been evaluated by biomedical engineering. 
 
Biohazardous Agents: 
NA 
 
Radiation: 
NA 
 
Students as Subjects:  
NA 
 
Data Science Core & Recruitment Core: 
NA 
 
UMCCTS Protocol Review Committee (PRC) 
NA 
 
4. OBJECTIVES* 
The goal of the study is to conduct a crowdsourced testing to examine the effects of source and 
presentation of e-cigarette educational messages among young adults who currently vape and do 
not vape. The objectives are to examine young adults’ self-reported responses toward message 
source (expert vs. peer), message sidedness (one-sided vs. two-sided), and messages combining 
both (source x message sidedness) about anti-e-cigarette messages. 
Aim 1: To determine the optimal message source and presentation type for young adult vapers 
and non-vapers to increase acceptance of e-cigarette education messages and e-cigarette harm 
perceptions.  
 
H1. Vapers will report more optimal psychophysiological responses than peer and two-sided 
messages.  

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H2. Non-vapers will report more optimal psychophysiological responses than expert and one-
sided messages.  
 
Please note that all procedures will be done with the appropriate personal protective equipment, 
which includes a mask and face shield for the researcher. Participants will be required to wear 
their mask for the entirety of the study. 
 
5. BACKGROUND* 
Young adults (18-24-year-olds) in the U.S. have the highest rates of e-cigarette use (vaping),1 
with 16-19% of this population identifying as current users, 44-48% ever users, and 11-16% 
susceptible never users.2 Vaping can lead to nicotine addiction and initiation of cigarette 
smoking3–7 and is associated with cognitive and affective disorders among young adults.8 The 
U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has prioritized educating about the health harm of 
vaping among young adults. However, young adults may avoid9,10 or reject11 the current 
education messages, especially if they currently vape12–14 or perceive the messages as 
“controlling.”15 It is urgently needed to increase acceptance of e-cigarette education messages16 
to influence their e-cigarette harm perceptions and vaping behaviors.17–20 
Using a trusted source21–24 and presenting messages appropriately25,26 can increase message 
acceptance. According to persuasion theories, one’s tobacco use status may influence 
individuals’ response to a source and presentation of messages because vapers and non-vapers 
differ in their attitudes and personal relevance regarding tobacco use.25,27–29 Unfortunately, no 
research has yet examined the impact of a message  source22,30 and presentation25,31,32 on young 
adults’ responses to e-cigarette education messages based on their vaping status. Evidence from 
research with cigarette smokers suggests that vapers will respond defensively to e-cigarette 
education messages, but non-vapers will not.12,33 Vapers may trust a tobacco health information 
source with similar attributes (e.g., peer young adults)29,34 and accept messages with balanced 
perspectives that both present negative health effects of vaping and acknowledge their potential 
reasons for vaping (two-sided; e.g., “vaping can be appealing if others are using it, but it can 
harm your health”).25,31,35 On the other hand, non-vapers may trust a source with credentials 
(e.g., scientists) 36–38 and accept information-only messages (one-sided; e.g., “vaping can harm 
your health”).13,35 Thus, it is critical to understand and use a trusted source and present messages 
that are appropriate for vapers and non-vapers to optimize vaping cessation and prevention 
efforts, making it an important area of study to improve current messaging. 
The proposed research is guided by biobehavioral theories of tobacco regulatory science,39,40 
psychology,15,41 and communication.42,43 By using previously tested education messages,44 we 
will determine an optimal combination of message source and presentation type to increase 
message acceptance and e-cigarette harm perceptions. We will compare the effects of two 
sources (expert and peer) and two message presentation types (one-sided and two-sided) for 
young adult vapers and non-vapers. We will use in-lab study for objective assessment of 
psychophysiological measures (heart rate, skin conductance, and eye-tracking) during message 
exposure (N=112) to determine optimal messaging. The goal of this study is to determine 
optimal message source and presentation for young adult vapers and non-vapers to increase 
message acceptance and harm perceptions using psychophysiology. 
 
6. INCLUSION AND EXCLUSION CRITERIA* 

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We will recruit young adults (N=112; 18-24 years) from the greater Worcester area, who identify 
as 1-a) vapers (n=56) or 1-b) susceptible non-vapers (n=56) and fluent in English. All 
participants will have confirmed 12+ hour abstinence from ingesting tobacco/cannabis prior to 
beginning the study in the lab   
 
Those who are not fluent in English will not be included in the study. Prisoners will not be 
included in the study. Pregnant women may be in the study if they choose, but we will not seek 
pregnant people to be in the study. 
 
7. STUDY-WIDE NUMBER OF SUBJECTS* 
NA 
 
8. STUDY-WIDE RECRUITMENT METHODS* 
NA 
 
9. STUDY TIMELINES* 
An individual’s participation in the study will be a 45 minute at a one-time visit. We expect to 
complete the study within six months of enrolling the first participant. 
 
10. STUDY ENDPOINTS* 
The primary outcome measures include psychophysiological responses (cognition, arousal, 
attention) and self-reported measures of e-cigarette harm message and source perceptions 
(message acceptance, harm perceptions, reactance, message liking, source trust, attitudes, 
behavioral intentions). 
 
11. PROCEDURES INVOLVED* 
After providing informed consent, participants will be randomized to one of four 
experimental conditions in a 2 (Source: expert and peer) x 2 (Presentation: one-sided and two-
sided) design. Data will be collected through iMotions, a psychophysiological data collection 
platform. We will track participants’ eye movements using an eye-tracking device. We will 
assess heart rate and skin conductance with a sensor by attaching Velcro-strapped electrodes on 
the fingers of participant’s nondominant hand. When the study begins, participants will complete 
pretest measures, view messages, during which they will be measured on their 
psychophysiological responses, and complete posttest measures. Messages (see Appendix-A) 
will be presented in a random order for at least 10 seconds. Between each message segment, a 
black screen and “get ready” screen will be presented for 10 seconds to return participants’ 
heartrate and skin conductance levels to baseline. This meets the established amount of time (6 
seconds) to collect heart rate and skin conductance.45 This procedure will be repeated 18 times 
for the 18 messages. Finally, participants will complete measures on demographics, attitudes, 
and behavioral intentions. The entire procedure will take approximately 45 minutes. After 
completion, participants will be thanked and compensated $50 for participation. Participants will 
be extensively debriefed about the hypothetical nature of the message source, the health harms of 
using any tobacco product, and information about the Massachusetts Tobacco Quitline with 
contact information. We will provide a consent form and verbally reiterate this information. 
In order to minimize subject harm as a result of being shocked by static electricity from the 
sensors, room temperature will remain above 65 degrees when running participants as the colder, 

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drier air is more likely to cause static shock. We will also follow all safety guidelines for the 
equipment. These include having participants wash their hands thoroughly, then use hand 
sanitizer, and then use an alcohol towelette to clean the finger the sensor will be placed. In 
addition, participants will be instructed to try to keep their hand still during the study to ensure 
the sensor does not move. 
 
12. DATA AND SPECIMEN BANKING* 
NA 
 
13. Data Analysis and Management* 
Data will be collected through iMotions, a psychophysiological data collection platform. All data 
will be saved on a password protected computer on the UMass Chan Medical School server. 
Upon completion of data collection, all data will be de-identified and stored on the UMass Chan 
Medical School OneDrive.  
 
Visual inspection of heart rate will be performed prior to statistical analysis to determine if a 
monophasic pattern resembling a U-shaped pattern is present. Each participant will receive a 
change in beats per minute (BPM) score based on the second before viewing (baseline) minus 
each second of the 10-second viewing of the message. Then, the BPM change score will be 
averaged per theme and compared for the greatest deceleration of heart rate, signifying greater 
attention to the messages in that theme category. Skin conductance will be analyzed similarly but 
compared for greatest acceleration, signifying greatest attention. Lastly, dwell time on the 
message using milliseconds will be calculated for the area of interest within the message. 
Longest dwell time will signify most visual attention for each message theme category. We will 
take the mean score for the self-report measures and rank the messages accordingly. 
 
14. PROVISIONS TO MONITOR THE DATA TO ENSURE THE SAFETY OF SUBJECTS* 
The device is not intended to induce any shock to participants. There is an extremely low chance 
that participants may experience electrical shock as a result of having sensors directly applied to 
participants’ skin. This is similar to experiencing static shock from rubbing against the carpet. 
However, if they do, the severity is also extremely low. In order to minimize subject harm as a 
result of being shocked by the sensors, room temperature will remain above 65 degrees when 
running participants as the colder, drier air is more likely to cause static shock. We will also 
follow all safety guidelines for the equipment. These include having participants wash their 
hands thoroughly, then use hand sanitizer, and then use an alcohol towelette to clean the finger 
the sensor will be placed. In addition, participants will be instructed to try to keep their hand still 
during the study to ensure the sensor does not move.  
 
15. WITHDRAWAL OF SUBJECTS WITHOUT THEIR CONSENT* 
NA 
 
16. RISKS TO SUBJECTS* 
Risks to subjects involve experiencing a minor static shock as explained in #14 as well as being 
uncomfortable answering questions about tobacco use. Participants will be advised that they are 
free to refuse to answer any question that makes them feel uncomfortable. All observed or 
volunteered adverse events will be recorded through the IRB.  Lastly, participants will be at 

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some risk of breach of confidentiality, which is the case with most research studies. There are no 
known or suspected risks to pregnant women who may coincidentally be enrolled. 
 
 
17. POTENTIAL DIRECT BENEFITS TO SUBJECTS* 
NA 
 
18. VULNERABLE POPULATIONS* 
• Students or employees: Students or employees of the University of Massachusetts 
Medical School will be eligible to enroll. Contacts with the study participants will be for 
assessment purposes only. No one on the research team supervises or has the ability to 
influence a subject’s grades, academic success, or professional advancement. The PI on 
this project does not teach courses at this time. Since many students may fall in the study 
population criteria, we are requesting to advertise the study on student list servs (The 
Student Life Bulletin, The Graduate School of Nursing list serv, and School of Medicine 
list serv). When participants come for a visit, they will not be asked if they are a UMass 
Chan student. 
• Adults unable to consent:  Our recruiting and consent process (requiring us to see the 
adult in person and have them sign the consent form) will allow us to identify adults who 
do not have the capacity to consent. They are ineligible to participate. 
• Subjects who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers): Individuals under the 
age of 18 are ineligible to participate.  
• Pregnant women: Pregnant women may be included in this research study. These 
requirements will be followed: No inducements, monetary or otherwise, will be offered to 
terminate a pregnancy. Individuals engaged in the research will have no part in any 
decisions as to the timing, method, or procedures used to terminate a pregnancy. 
Individuals engaged in the research will have no part in determining the viability of a 
neonate. 
• Neonates of uncertain viability or non-viable neonates: NA 
• Prisoners: We will not enroll or conduct research procedures with individuals that are 
known to be prisoners. If enrolled subjects become incarcerated during the study, we will 
submit this information within five business days as Reportable New Information. 
 
19. MULTI-SITE RESEARCH* 
NA 
 
20. COMMUNITY-BASED PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH* 
NA 
 
21. SHARING OF RESEARCH RESULTS WITH SUBJECTS* 
It may be several years before the results of the research are available. If participants are 
interested in the results of the study, the research team will request participants’ contact 
information to reach them when results are available. We can share participants’ individual 
results with them if they ask. However, because these are research tests, they are for their interest 
only. The results cannot tell participants about their health or diagnose any condition. If they 
request the information, the results can be provided at the conclusion of the study via email. 

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22. SETTING 
The study will take place at the Prevention Institute at the Shaw Building (5 minute walk from 
Sherman Building where office is located). The lab is a facility for conducting focus groups, 
interviews, and message communication material testing. The lab provides Internet access on 
Mac and PC computers to collect the survey responses. The lab also contains iMotions software 
and hardware which enables the collection of psychophysiological data using sensors. The data 
entry and analysis will take place at the Shaw and Albert Sherman buildings. In the event that 
data analysis takes place remotely (e.g., the research team’s home), the members will use UMass 
Chan computer with UMass Chan secured network. 
 
23. RESOURCES AVAILABLE 
The PI is responsible and accountable for the implementation of the study in accordance with 
the proposed plan. The PI holds a doctoral degree and has extensive research experience 
including the conduct of a variety of studies relevant to the current study.  
The Study Coordinator is a postdoctoral research fellow who holds a doctoral degree and has 
experience in research studies. The coordinator will coordinate and execute day-to-day activities 
at the study site and implementation-related tasks (recruitment and retention, running 
participants, survey assessments, laboratories, and data management, participant compensation). 
The postdoctoral fellow is responsible for obtaining the informed consent from participants. The 
postdoctoral fellow will devote 50% of their time to ensure the launch and completion of this 
study, as well as data cleaning, analysis, and dissemination. 
The PI and/or postdoctoral fellow will meet with any staff member involved with this research 
via Zoom and in person to ensure that they are fully informed about the protocol and the research 
procedures. Furthermore, the PI and/or postdoctoral fellow will meet with the staff members at 
least once a week to review their specific duties and functions (e.g., setting up study, data 
analysis).   
 
 
24. LOCAL RECRUITMENT METHODS 
We will recruit 112 young adults between the ages of 18 and 24. Participants will be recruited 
from the greater Worcester area using email (See Appendix-C), flyers, and social media, 
advertising an opportunity to participate in a health messaging study. We will also send out the 
flyer to the following student list servs at UMass Chan: The Student Life Bulletin, The Graduate 
School of Nursing list serv, and School of Medicine list serv. Participants from other studies will 
also be contacted. Passive online screener will be used to determine eligibility. Potential 
participants will be directed to an online screener that will collect their contact information. 
Those who meet the eligibility criteria will be contacted to schedule the first visit.  
 
$60 will be given to each participant at the conclusion of their visit in the form of a gift card. We 
will follow the policy of participant payment instruction The gift cards will be given out per the 
req of partici payment through email and text message. We will collect participants’ email 
addresses and any other info required by partipant addresses to send them their gift card at the 
end of their visit. The gift cards will be sent from a umassmed.edu account within an hour after 
their visit. Then, the record of the participant’s email address and address will be destroyed by 
the PI.   

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While this study is requesting to advertise to UMass Chan students, we do not aim for them to be 
the only participants in the study.  
 
Additionally, participants will be recontacted if they meet the eligibility criteria to ask if they 
would be willing to be contacted to participate in future studies. Depending on their preferred 
contact method (e.g., email or phone), participants will be contacted via that method and asked if 
they would be willing to be contacted for future studies. There will be three attempts to contact 
participants. We will keep a list of those who say “no” (which include those who do not answer 
after the three attempts) and those who say “yes.” 
 
25. LOCAL NUMBER OF SUBJECTS 
112 individuals will participate in the study.  
 
26. CONFIDENTIALITY  
Screener data will be stored on REDCap. REDCap is a secure web-based application for building 
and managing online surveys and databases. This application was developed at Vanderbilt 
University. If participants consent, we will retain the identifying information (name, phone 
number, email) from the screener data for 3 years after completion of the study to recontact 
subjects for future studies. However, the responses will be de-identified at the conclusion of the 
participant enrollment period. Thus, participants’ contact information will not be linked to the 
participant response. If participants do not consent to storing their contact information, we will 
destroy their contact information from the database at the conclusion of the enrollemnet period.  
 
UMass Chan deploys REDCap application for use by our researchers and their study 
collaborators. Clinical study groups utilize REDCap functions via an intuitive interface to 
generate custom databases and/or surveys for data collection and study management including 
site and personnel management. REDCap provides audit trails for tracking data manipulation and 
export procedures, as well as seamless data downloads to common statistical packages and data 
import from non-REDCap data sources. UMass Chan REDCap is supported by the Data Sciences 
& Technology Division of Information Technology (IT). 
 
The UMass Chan REDCap application resides in a secure network environment based on ISO 
27002 designed to support PHI data capture and storage. 
 
All study data are collected using the iMotions 6.4 Biometric Research Platform, a secure, 
computer-based data collection platform. No self-report or psychophysiological data collected 
are directly linked to participant identifying information: self-report and psychophysiological 
data collected through iMotions are tracked using a unique, numeric study identifier that does not 
contain any personally identifying information. A monitor on the computer will track the 
participant’s eye movements and three sensors on the participant’s fingers will track heart rate 
and skin conductance. Each message will appear for ten seconds, which falls above the 
established amount of time needed (6 seconds) to collect heart rate and skin conductance levels 
for still messages. This will allow us to take into account baseline levels and time for heart rate 
and skin conductance to react. After each message, participants will answer the same measures 
included in the participant survey pertaining to responses toward the message and source, and 

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perceived message effectiveness. This process will be repeated 18 times for each of the two 
message sidedness conditions, resulting in a total of 36 different messages seen by participants. 
Afterwards, participants will be asked to complete additional measures related to actual message 
effectiveness (e-cigarette attitudes, risk beliefs, intentions to vape).  
 
Between each message sidedness condition, individuals will see a blank black screen for 10 
seconds, then a black screen with the words “get ready” for five seconds followed by another 
black screen for 10 seconds to return heart rate and skin conductance back to baseline. All 
methods are consistent with accepted standards of psychophysiological measurement for media 
studies. 
 
 
Dr. Stevens and the research team will be responsible for file maintenance. Screeners will be 
electronically maintained throughout the course of the study for scheduling participants. Signed 
consent forms will be stored in a locked cabinet through the course of the study and only 
retrieved for IRB requests. Participant surveys and psychophysiological data will be stored on a 
password protected storage on a secured network. Files will be reviewed once per week to ensure 
all documentation is securely stored. The researcher will first make sure the consent form is in 
the locked cabinet and then ensure that each participant file from iMotions is electronically 
stored for each participant ID number. Study documents will be maintained for a period of 3 
years after completion of the study. 
 
27. PROVISIONS TO PROTECT THE PRIVACY INTERESTS OF SUBJECTS 
All study activities will be conducted in a private setting. The collection of sensitive information 
about subjects is limited to the information necessary to conduct the research study. Subjects will 
be told that they can skip any question they wish. 
 
28. COMPENSATION FOR RESEARCH-RELATED INJURY 
This research presents minimal risk. No funds have been set aside for compensation. 
 
29. ECONOMIC BURDEN TO SUBJECTS 
None. 
 
30. CONSENT PROCESS 
Informed consent will be obtained. All members of the research team will be trained in Human 
Subjects and the handling of data to ensure confidentiality in order to obtain Institutional Review 
Board (IRB) approval from UMass Chan. Participants will be appropriately consented. This will 
include a clear understanding of the study objectives and procedures, content of the survey 
protocols that will be administered, and ample opportunity to have their questions answered, and 
prior to the surveys. Participation will be on a voluntary basis, and we will obtain written consent 
from participants after the detailed explanation of the study and opportunity to ask questions. 
The consent process for participation in the study will occur in-person. All research personnel 
will be research personnel will be familiar with HRP-090: Informed Consent Process for 
Research. 
 
31. PROCESS TO DOCUMENT CONSENT IN WRITING 

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Consent for study participation will be done in writing. All research personnel will be familiar 
with HRP-091: Written Documentation of Consent.  The consent form will require a signature 
from the participant. The participants’ signatures will be obtained at the one time in-person visit. 
 
32. DRUGS OR DEVICES 
“There is no intent to collect safety and effectiveness data about the devices used in this study.  
FDA regulations do not apply and an IDE is not required.” 
 
References 
1. Clayton RB, Keene JR, Leshner G, Lang A, Bailey RL. Smoking Status Matters: A 
Direct Comparison of Smokers’ and Nonsmokers’ Psychophysiological and Self-Report 
Responses to Secondhand Smoke Anti-Tobacco PSAs. Health Commun. 2020;35(8):925-
934. doi:10.1080/10410236.2019.1598741 
2. Grandpre J, Alvaro EM, Burgoon M, Miller CH, Hall JR. Adolescent reactance and anti-
smoking campaigns: a theoretical approach. Health Commun. 2003;15(3):349-366. 
doi:10.1207/S15327027HC1503_6 
3. LaVoie NR, Quick BL, Riles JM, Lambert NJ. Are Graphic Cigarette Warning Labels an 
Effective Message Strategy? A Test of Psychological Reactance Theory and Source 
Appraisal. Commun Res. 2017;44(3):416-436. doi:10.1177/0093650215609669 
4. Fitzsimons GJ, Lehmann DR. Reactance to Recommendations: When Unsolicited Advice 
Yields Contrary Responses. Mark Sci. 2004;23(1):82-94. 
5. Pham N, Mandel N, Morales AC. Messages from the Food Police: How Food-Related 
Warnings Backfire among Dieters. J Assoc Consum Res. 2016;1(1):175-190. 
doi:10.1086/684394 
6. Pechmann C. Predicting When Two-Sided Ads Will Be More Effective than One-Sided 
Ads: The Role of Correlational and Correspondent Inferences. J Mark Res. 
1992;29(4):441-453. doi:10.2307/3172710 
7. O’Keefe DJ. How to Handle Opposing Arguments in Persuasive Messages: A Meta-
Analytic Review of the Effects of One-Sided and Two-Sided Messages. Ann Int Commun 
Assoc. 1999;22(1):209-249. doi:10.1080/23808985.1999.11678963 
8. Paek HJ, Hove T. Risk Perceptions and Risk Characteristics. Oxford Research 
Encyclopedia of Communication. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190228613.013.283 
9. Schmidt AM, Ranney LM, Pepper JK, Goldstein AO. Source Credibility in Tobacco 
Control Messaging. Tob Regul Sci. 2016;2(1):31-37. doi:10.18001/TRS.2.1.3 
10. Case KR, Lazard AJ, Mackert MS, Perry CL. Source Credibility and E-cigarette 
Attitudes: Implications for Tobacco Communication. Health Commun. 2018;33(9):1059-
1067. doi:10.1080/10410236.2017.1331190 

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11. Guttman N, Peleg H. Public Preferences for an Attribution to Government or to Medical 
Research Versus Unattributed Messages in Cigarette Warning Labels in Israel. Health 
Commun. 2003;15(1):1-25. doi:10.1207/S15327027HC1501_1 
12. Zagona SV, Harter MR. Credibility of source and recipient’s attitude: Factors in the 
perception and retention of information on smoking behavior. Percept Mot Skills. 
1966;23(1):155-168. doi:10.2466/pms.1966.23.1.155 
13. Villanti AC, LePine SE, West JC, et al. Identifying message content to reduce vaping: 
Results from online message testing trials in young adult tobacco users. Addict Behav. 
2021;115:106778. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2020.106778 
14. Cuccia AF, Patel M, Kierstead EC, Evans WD, Schillo BA. Associations of e-cigarette 
industry beliefs and e-cigarette use and susceptibility among youth and young adults in 
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doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.109126 
15. Rohde JA, Noar SM, Prentice-Dunn H, Kresovich A, Hall MG. Comparison of Message 
and Effects Perceptions for The Real Cost E-cigarette Prevention Ads. Health Commun. 
2021;36(10):1222-1230. doi:10.1080/10410236.2020.1749353 
16. Graham AL, Amato MS, Cha S, Jacobs MA, Bottcher MM, Papandonatos GD. 
Effectiveness of a Vaping Cessation Text Message Program Among Young Adult e-
cigarette Users: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Intern Med. 2021;181(7):923-930. 
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17. England KJ, Edwards AL, Paulson AC, Libby EP, Harrell PT, Mondejar KA. Rethink 
Vape: Development and evaluation of a risk communication campaign to prevent youth 
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18. Hair EC, Kreslake JM, Rath JM, Pitzer L, Bennett M, Vallone D. Early evidence of the 
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Control. Published online July 21, 2021. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2020-056047 
19. Gramlich J. Young Americans are less trusting of other people – and key institutions – 
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other-people-and-key-institutions-than-their-elders/ 
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each other. Pew Research Center. Accessed January 4, 2022. 
https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/07/22/key-findings-about-americans-
declining-trust-in-government-and-each-other/ 
 
 
 

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Appendix A. Copies of the messages 
 
* Before seeing each message, participants will view one of the four directions below according 
to their assigned source condition. 
Condition 
Expert 
Peer 
Expert 1 
Government 
health org 
Expert 2 
Medical school 
researcher 
Peer 1 
Young adults 
Peer 2 
Influencers 
Directions 
Imagine that the 
following 
message was 
written by 
scientists. 
Imagine that the 
following 
message was 
written by your 
doctor. 
Imagine that the 
following 
message was 
written by young 
adults like you. 
Imagine that the 
following 
message was 
written by a 
social media 
influencer that 
you follow. 
 
Messages with Sidedness Manipulation 
One-sided 
Two-sided 
Sleek design hides a deadly truth. Vapes 
contain ingredients that can cause cancer. 
Vapes come in sleek design that makes them 
look cool. But these designs hide a deadly truth. 
Vapes contain ingredients that can cause 
cancer. 
That’s not “just vapor.” Vapes have ingredients 
that cause lung disease and cancer. 
Vape companies say that you’re vaping “just 
vapor.” But that’s not true. Vapes have 
ingredients that cause lung diseases and 
cancer. 
You wouldn't drink formaldehyde. Why would 
you vape it? Most vapes have formaldehyde. 
Some people say that vaping isn’t bad for you. 
But most vapes have formaldehyde. You 
wouldn’t drink formaldehyde. Why would you 
vape it? 
Trouble breathing? Vape flavors may cause lung 
damage. 
Vapes come in cool flavors that make you keep 
wanting to use. But these flavors may cause 
you lung damage and trouble breathing.  
Chemicals in these vape flavors can hurt your 
lungs. 
Cinnamon roll, very vanilla. Mmm…sounds 
tempting, but chemicals in these vape flavors 
can hurt your lungs. 
Chemicals in these vape flavors can cause cell 
and lung damage. 
Sugar and spice and everything nice? NOPE. 
Chemicals in vapes can cause cell and lung 
damage. 
Depression? What a vibe check. People who 
keep vaping are more likely to have signs of 
depression.  
People vape for cool vibes. But people who 
keep vaping are more likely to have signs of 
depression. What a vibe check. 

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Vaping causes coughing and lung damage. Not 
a good look. 
Influencers may make vaping look cool, but the 
coughing caused by lung damage? Not a good 
look. 
The lung damage caused by vaping will never 
be cool.  
Vaping is going viral, but you know what will 
never be cool? The lung damage caused by 
vapes. 
Extra salty lately? That might be nicotine 
withdrawal. Vape addiction is REAL. 
Some people vape to get in a good mood. But 
are you extra salty lately? That might be 
nicotine withdrawal. Vape addiction is REAL. 
Chained to your vape? Nicotine addiction 
means losing your independence. 
Adult smokers are vaping to stop being 
addicted to cigarettes. But you can get addicted 
to vaping. It means being chained to your vape 
and losing your independence. 
Vaping companies create catchy terms for 
nicotine addiction. Hard pass.  
"JUUL Buzz"? That’s a catchy term. But that just 
means nicotine addiction. Hard pass. 
Don't get hooked by the flavors. Some pods 
have as much nicotine as a whole pack of 
cigarettes. 
It’s easy to get hooked by the flavors. But it’s a 
sham. Some pods have as much nicotine as a 
whole pack of cigarettes. 
Some pods contain as much nicotine as 20 
cigarettes. Don't get hooked by the flavors.  
Think you're just vaping flavor? Some pods 
contain as much nicotine as 20 cigarettes. Don't 
get hooked. 
Nicotine addiction won't give you much of a 
choice. Most vape products contain nicotine. 
Don't get hooked. 
The flavors may be limitless, but nicotine 
addiction won't give you much of a choice. 
Most vape products contain nicotine. Don't get 
hooked. 
Do your friends get salty if they haven't had a 
hit? That's nicotine addiction. JUUL pods 
contain nicotine - as much as a pack of 
cigarettes.  
It may be fun to get that perfect hit with your 
friends. But do your friends get salty if they 
haven’t had a hit? That’s nicotine addiction. 
JUUL pods contain nicotine - as much as a pack 
of cigarettes. 
Vaping with friends leads to fighting with 
friends. Nicotine addiction makes people 
moody and hard to be around, which really kills 
the vibe. 
Vaping can give you and your friends a good 
vibe at first. But it can soon lead to fighting. 
Nicotine addiction makes people moody and 
hard to be around, which really kills the vibe. 
You’ll be hooked forever. Don’t trade nicotine 
addiction to be on trend. 
It may be today’s big thing, but you’ll be 
hooked forever. Don’t trade nicotine addiction 
to be on trend. 
 
 
 

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Appendix B. 
Health effects of nicotine 
Thank you for participating in our study.  
E-cigarettes are not safe. If you vape e-cigarettes, you could be inhaling seriously addictive 
levels of nicotine. Nicotine in tobacco can damage your brain, increase the chance of having a 
heart attack, and decrease your immune system. Any tobacco products – including e-cigarettes, 
cigarettes, e-cigarettes, smokeless tobacco like dip, cigars, cigarillos, hookah, roll-your-own – 
are always dangerous. The only safe tobacco is NO tobacco. For more information about the 
harms of tobacco and nicotine, please visit:  
https://therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov/vapes 
 
https://www.thetruth.com/breathofstressair?cid=vap_search_googlepaidsearch_truth_brand_BOS
A&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwtuOlBhBREiwA7agf1mx8urYu2Ws_aoxOKuvW7id_4yUBQItPrS
cQfVuvxlnwzL-cQrkQ4xoCefIQAvD_BwE 
 
Sources:  
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (n.d.). The Real Cost. 
https://therealcost.betobaccofree.hhs.gov/vapes 
 
Mishra A, Chaturvedi P, Datta S, Sinukumar S, Joshi P, Garg A. Harmful effects of nicotine. 
Indian J Med Paediatr Oncol. 2015;36(1):24-31. doi:10.4103/0971-5851.151771 
 
Quit vaping or support someone in their quit attempt 
My Life, My Quit 
 
My Life, My Quit™ is a specially designed program to help young people quit vaping or other 
tobacco products. My Life, My Quit™ provides five free and confidential coaching sessions by 
phone, live texting, or chat with a specially-trained youth coach. You can text “Start My Quit” to 
36072 or call toll-free 1-855-891-9989 for real-time coaching.  You can also 
visit mylifemyquit.com to sign up online, chat with a live coach, get information about vaping 
and tobacco, and activities to help them quit. The program can send out materials and a 
certificate at the end of the program. 
This is Quitting 
 
This is Quitting powered by truth® is a texting program for young people who want to quit 
vaping. It is a free, confidential 60-day program during which participants receive texts with 
information, tips, and support. They receive daily text messages to help them prepare to quit and 
supportive texts from young people who have been through the program and know what it’s like 
to quit. They can also text COPE, SLIP, STRESS, or MORE at any time for instant support, or 
MASSINFO for information specific to Massachusetts.  Young people can sign up even if you 

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they aren’t ready to quit – the texts they receive will give them strategies and practice quits to 
help build confidence and help them feel ready to quit. 
To enroll in the program, youth text “VapeFreeMass” to 88709.  Youth can also connect with 
their school nurse, counselor, or coach to help get them started. 
Parents and other adults can also text QUIT to 202-899-7550 to sign up to receive text messages 
designed specifically for parents of vapers. 
Source: National Jewish Health (2023). MyLifeMyQuit. https://www.mylifemyquit.com/ 
 
 
Appendix-C. 
 
Dear [NAME], 
  
My name is [NAME] and I am a research staff at the UMass Chan psychophysiological lab. 
We’re still looking for participants to participate in a lab study to examine the 
psychophysiological responses (eye-movement, heart rate, skin conductance) of e-cigarette 
education messages. If you are interested, please fill out the screener. A member of our research 
team will be in touch with you if you are eligible for our study. Thank you for your interest! 
  
Thank you! 
Research Staff Name 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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eIRB Section 7.0 Attachments Upload Checklist 
Follow How to Manage Files in eIRB and upload the following items as applicable to your 
submission. This checklist is provided for your convenience and is not a requirement for review. 
 
 
Investigator Study Plan 
 
Sponsor protocol 
 
Research portion of the grant 
 
Human subjects portion of the grant 
 
Written approvals from ancillary reviews (Clinical Engineering, COI, IBC, PRC, RSC, 
Students as Subjects, etc.) 
 
Recruitment materials such as flyers, brochures, posters, scripts of radio ads, etc. 
 
Data collection sheets, case report forms, etc. 
 
Surveys, measures, instruments, etc. 
 
Measures to assess capacity to consent 
 
DMC or DSMB charter 
 
Data safety monitoring plan 
 
Adverse event log 
 
Investigator brochure or package insert for drugs  
 
Instructions for use or approved FDA labeling for devices 
 
Sponsor justification or FDA documentation for non-significant risk device study  
 
IND or IDE documentation 
 
Patient information sheet for Humanitarian Use Device 
 
Approval order for Humanitarian Use Device 
 
Product labeling for Humanitarian Use Device 
 
HIPAA waiver 
 
HIPAA authorization 
 
Authorization to contact form 
 
Consent form(s) 
 
Assent forms(s) 
 
Fact sheet(s) 
 
Multi-site communication plan 
 
Study staff training plan 
 
SOPs or Manuals of Operations 
 
Screening log 
 
Compensation log 
 
Certificates of translation or translator attestations 
 
Data use agreements, memoranda of understanding,  
 
Documentation of data/specimen anonymity (i.e., provider will never break the code)