Assessing the abuse liability of U.S. Food and Drug Administration-authorized electronic nicotine delivery systems: Impact of nicotine flux, flavor, and menthol cigarette smoking status.

= 30; 20 menthol preferring MP) completed four sessions: one with own-brand cigarettes and three with tobacco and menthol flavors of three NJOY-branded ENDS: 2.4% nicotine (58 μg/s flux), 5% nicotine (118-123 μg/s flux), 6% nicotine (61-65 μg/s flux). Outcomes included behavioral economic indices (e.g., price sensitivity) and subjective measures (e.g., product acceptability). Mixed analysis of variance was used to examine the effects of ENDS nicotine flux, flavor, and MP. MP participants were less price sensitive than those who smoked nonmenthol, particularly for menthol-flavored ENDS. Those who smoked nonmenthol were less price sensitive for tobacco-flavored versus menthol-flavored ENDS. MP participants substituted all ENDS for own-brand cigarettes, while those who smoked nonmenthol only substituted with lower flux tobacco-flavored and higher flux menthol-flavored ENDS. Greater positive ratings on some acceptability measures were observed for menthol-flavored than tobacco-flavored ENDS. Those who smoked nonmenthol reported greater aversive ENDS-related sensory effects than MP participants. Menthol flavoring in ENDS increased some abuse liability measures, particularly product acceptability. ENDS abuse liability and substitution potential also varied by MP. Lower flux tobacco and higher flux menthol ENDS may support switching. Findings support further investigation on menthol-flavored, higher flux ENDS for public health benefit. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2026 APA, all rights reserved).