Abuse liability assessment of an electronic cigarette in combustible cigarette smokers.

Introduction:
This article presents a study that examines the abuse liability of an electronic cigarette (e-cig) device with 0 mg/mL nicotine and 36 mg/mL nicotine in comparison to combustible cigarettes and the Nicotrol inhaler (IN) in cigarette smokers. The study aims to provide insights into the role that nicotine plays in e-cig abuse liability.

Key Points:

* The study used a within-subjects design, with participants completing four separate lab sessions, each lasting approximately 5 hours.
* Participants were required to come into the lab at least 12 hours abstinent from all nicotine and tobacco products.
* In each session, participants were provided with a study product, either combustible cigarettes (OB), e-cig with nicotine (e-cig\_36), e-cig without nicotine (e-cig\_O), or IN.
* The abuse liability was assessed using the multiple-choice procedure (MCP), physiological measures, and subjective questionnaires.
* The MCP revealed that the OB condition had a significantly higher mean MCP crossover point compared to the e-cig\_36 condition, and the e-cig\_36 condition had a significantly higher mean MCP crossover point compared to the e-cig\_O and IN conditions.
* Plasma nicotine results showed that the OB and e-cig\_36 conditions delivered nicotine reliably to participants, while the IN condition and e-cig\_O condition did not.
* Subjective ratings of tobacco abstinence suppression demonstrated that the greatest symptom reduction was observed after OB product use.

Main Message:
The study found that the e-cig device with nicotine had a higher abuse liability than the IN but lower than combustible cigarettes. The results suggest that e-cigs with nicotine can support nicotine dependence and have the potential for abuse. The study also highlights the importance of assessing the abuse liability of e-cigs, especially as they continue to gain popularity as an alternative to combustible cigarettes. It is crucial to regulate e-cigs appropriately to prevent their misuse and potential harm to users.

Maloney, Sarah F., Alison Breland, Eric K. Soule, Marzena Hiler, Carolina Ramôa, Thokozeni Lipato, and Thomas Eissenberg. “Abuse Liability Assessment of an Electronic Cigarette in Combustible Cigarette Smokers.” Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology 27, no. 5 (October 2019): 443–54. https://doi.org/10.1037/pha0000261.