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Objectives: There is increasing evidence that smoking menthol cigarettes is associated with a lower likelihood of quitting smoking. Menthol smokers are disproportionately African Americans, a group that has high rates of smoking-related disease. We sought to identify preferences for smoking cessation aids among African-American menthol smokers. Methods: Fifty-three African-American menthol smokers aged 18-75 sampled 6 nicotine products over 2 weeks: ecigarettes in tobacco and menthol flavors and 2mg and 4mg nicotine gum in classic and mint flavors. The order in which each participant sampled the products was randomly generated. Participants evaluated multiple product characteristics, and then selected a product for use during a 2-week smoking cessation trial. Participants' consumption of cigarettes and their selected product was recorded during this cessation trial. Results: Menthol e-cigarettes were the favorite product, followed by tobacco e-cigarettes and 2mg nicotine gum. Participants considered these products more enjoyable to use and more effective at relieving withdrawal symptoms. We observed a 59% reduction in cigarettes smoked per day during the cessation trial, although only one participant quit smoking entirely. Conclusions: African-American menthol smokers in this pilot study strongly preferred e-cigarettes as well as menthol-flavored products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]