An interventional study of IQOS Iluma i with TEREA Tobacco Sticks and IQOS 2.4 with HEETS Tobacco Sticks in Nicotine Dependence and Tobacco Use, sponsored by American University of Beirut Medical Center. Recruiting at 2 sites in Lebanon. Open to participants aged 18 Years to 65 Years, including healthy volunteers. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-07-30.
Sponsored by American University of Beirut Medical Center · Not applicable, Interventional, and Basic science
The goal of this clinical trial is to learn how people use two generations of IQOS heated tobacco devices and how each device affects their smoking behavior and sensory experience.
The main questions it aims to answer are:
Participants will:
Heated tobacco products (HTPs) such as IQOS have evolved across generations, with newer models using induction-based heating rather than a ceramic blade. Nicotine yields have declined across generations, raising the possibility that sensory characteristics have been modified to maintain product appeal. Current emissions assessments rely on standardized machine-puffing regimens derived from cigarette testing, which may not reflect real-world IQOS user behavior. This study will characterize puff topography (volume, duration, flow rate, inter-puff interval, number of puffs) in 50 exclusive IQOS users during ad-libitum use of the IQOS Iluma i and IQOS 2.4 under preferred and standardized (Amber) flavor conditions. A randomized crossover design with two visits will be used, with device order within each visit randomized using a Williams design. Secondary outcomes include chemosensory ratings (mouthfeel, ease of draw, throat hit), and subjective effects (satisfaction, pleasantness, taste, urges). Data will inform device-specific puffing regimens for use in future emissions assessments.
1,027 studies on the registry are indexed under Tobacco Use Disorder; 128 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 50 is below the median of 90 across 892 interventional studies indexed under Tobacco Use Disorder.
Browse Tobacco Use Disorder studies →American University of Beirut Medical Center is the lead sponsor of 158 studies on the registry; 24 are open to participants now.
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Go through the criteria one by one — yes, no or not sure — and take the list to your doctor or the study team. Kept in this browser only.
Exclusion Criteria:
Underlined terms in the criteria open these too. Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Contraception
Ways of preventing pregnancy. “Highly effective” methods fail less than 1% of the time a year when used correctly — for example an IUD or an implant.
Criteria usually say which methods count and how long to keep using them after the last dose, sometimes for male participants too. Some studies accept a partner’s vasectomy if it was confirmed successful and that person is the participant’s only sexual partner.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants use the IQOS Iluma i device with TEREA tobacco sticks under two flavor conditions (preferred flavor and standardized Amber flavor) across study visits. The IQOS Iluma i uses induction-based heating technology.
Device: IQOS Iluma i with TEREA Tobacco Sticks
Participants use the IQOS 2.4 device with HEETS tobacco sticks under two flavor conditions (preferred flavor and standardized Amber flavor) across study visits. The IQOS 2.4 uses ceramic blade heating technology.
Device: IQOS 2.4 with HEETS Tobacco Sticks
The IQOS Iluma i is an induction-heated tobacco device used with TEREA STICKS. Participants use the device ad libitum during two smoking bouts (preferred flavor and Amber flavor conditions) across two study visits. Puff topography is recorded continuously during use.
The IQOS 2.4 is a ceramic blade-heated tobacco device used with HEETS tobacco sticks. Participants use the device ad libitum during two smoking bouts (preferred flavor and Amber flavor conditions) across two study visits. Puff topography is recorded continuously during use.
Chemosensory Effects - Mouthful
Chemosensory Effects: Three sensory feedback items assessed after each smoking bout: (1) Mouthful - amount of aerosol filling the mouth, rated on a 1-5 visual analog scale (1 = barely any smoke to 5 = a lot of smoke); higher scores indicate greater mouthful sensation.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Chemosensory Effects - Ease of draw
Chemosensory Effects: Three sensory feedback items assessed after each smoking bout: (2) Ease of draw - effort required to draw a puff, rated on a 1-5 visual analog scale (1 = easy to 5 = hard); higher scores indicate greater effort required.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Chemosensory Effects - Throat hit
Chemosensory Effects: Three sensory feedback items assessed after each smoking bout: (3) Throat hit - intensity of throat sensation, rated on a 0-100 General Labeled Magnitude Scale (0 = barely detectable to 100 = strongest imaginable); higher scores indicate greater throat hit intensity.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Mean Puff Duration
Mean duration (seconds) of each puff recorded continuously during ad-libitum use of each device using the eTOP puff topography instrument.
Time frame: Continuously during each ad-libitum smoking bout, at Visit 1 (day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Number of Puffs Per Stick
Total number of puffs taken per tobacco stick during each ad-libitum smoking bout, recorded using the eTOP puff topography instrument.
Time frame: Continuously during each ad-libitum smoking bout, at Visit 1 (day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Mean Inter-Puff Interval
Mean time (seconds) between the end of one puff and the start of the next, recorded continuously during ad-libitum use of each device using the eTOP puff topography instrument.
Time frame: Continuously during each ad-libitum smoking bout, at Visit 1 (day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Mean Puff Flow Rate
Mean peak puff flow rate (mL/s) recorded continuously during ad-libitum use of each device using the eTOP puff topography instrument.
Time frame: Continuously during each ad-libitum smoking bout, at Visit 1 (day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Urge to Use IQOS - Factor 1: desire/intention
Urge to use IQOS assessed using a 10-item adaptation of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges-Brief (QSU-Brief), rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 7 = Strongly Agree). Higher scores indicate greater urge to use IQOS. Total score and subscale scores (Factor 1: desire/intention; Factor 2: negative reinforcement) will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Urge to Use IQOS - Factor 2: negative reinforcement
Urge to use IQOS assessed using a 10-item adaptation of the Questionnaire on Smoking Urges-Brief (QSU-Brief), rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Strongly Disagree to 7 = Strongly Agree). Higher scores indicate greater urge to use IQOS. Total score and subscale scores (Factor 1: desire/intention; Factor 2: negative reinforcement) will be reported.
Time frame: Immediately before and immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - satisfaction
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - taste
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - throat/chest sensations
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - calm
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - awake
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - irritable
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - concentration
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - hungry
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - dizziness
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - nausea
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - craving relief
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Subjective Effects of IQOS Use - enjoyment
12-item questionnaire assessing subjective effects of IQOS use, rated on a 7-point scale (1 = Not at all to 7 = Extremely). Higher scores indicate greater intensity of the effect. Items assess: satisfaction, taste, throat/chest sensations, calming, alertness, irritability relief, concentration, hunger suppression, dizziness, nausea, craving relief, and enjoyment. Each item is reported individually. The questionnaire is a modified version of the Subjective Effects Questionnaire (SEQ), adapted for IQOS.
Time frame: Immediately after each smoking bout, at Visit 1 (Day 1) and Visit 2 (Visit 2 scheduled at least 48 hours after Visit 1)
Plan to share: No — Individual participant data will not be shared. Data are stored on password-protected institutional computers at the American University of Beirut and are accessible only to authorized study personnel. Data may be made available to qualified researchers upon reasonable request to the corresponding author.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Jul 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Oct 2027, 14 months after the start.
Of 255 non-industry interventional studies with no phase under Tobacco Use Disorder, half reached primary completion within 33 months of starting (the median), counting those still running; a quarter within 18 and three quarters within 51. This study's planned 14 months is below that.
Counting every sponsor, half of 265 studies reached it within 32 months; a quarter within 17 and three quarters within 50.
How these figures are worked out, and which studies are left out of them.
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