The impact of flavoring on the rewarding and reinforcing value of e-cigarettes with nicotine among young adult smokers

Introduction:
This text summarizes a research study examining the impact of flavoring on the rewarding and reinforcing value of e-cigarettes with nicotine among young adult smokers. The study aimed to determine if flavoring enhances the subjective rewarding value, relative reinforcing value, and absolute reinforcing value of e-cigarettes with nicotine compared to unflavored e-cigarettes with nicotine.

Key Points:

* The study used a within-subjects design with young adult smokers (n = 32) participating in three human laboratory sessions.
* The first session evaluated the rewarding value of flavoring by having participants rate unflavored and flavored e-cigarettes with nicotine.
* The second session assessed the relative reinforcing value of a flavored vs unflavored e-cigarette via a choice task that evaluated the willingness to "work" to hit targets on a computer screen to earn flavored or unflavored e-cigarette puffs.
* The third session measured the absolute reinforcing value of flavored versus unflavored e-cigarettes via a 90-min ad-libitum vaping session where puffs from each e-cigarette were counted.
* The results showed that subjective reward value was higher for the flavored versus the unflavored e-cigarette.
* Participants worked harder for flavored e-cigarette puffs versus unflavored e-cigarette puffs.
* Participants took twice as many flavored puffs than unflavored e-cigarette puffs during the 90-min ad-libitum vaping session.

Main Message:
The study found that flavoring enhances the rewarding and reinforcing value of e-cigarettes with nicotine, which may increase their abuse liability in young adult smokers. Further research is necessary to determine whether the use of flavoring in e-cigarettes impacts cigarette smoking behavior among young adults. Regulators should consider the potential public health implications of allowing flavoring in e-cigarettes, especially given their increasing popularity among young adults.

Audrain-McGovern, Janet, Andrew A. Strasser, and E. Paul Wileyto. “The Impact of Flavoring on the Rewarding and Reinforcing Value of E-Cigarettes with Nicotine among Young Adult Smokers.” Drug and Alcohol Dependence 166 (September 2016): 263–67. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2016.06.030.