Summary
Introduction:
This text is a summary of a scientific study examining the relationship between e-cigarette (EC) characteristics, such as nicotine level and flavor, and their appeal and impact on smoking outcomes among veterans with psychiatric disorders. The study aims to determine if EC characteristics influence EC's appeal and if nicotine level is associated with smoking outcomes in this population.
Key Points:
* The study recruited non-treatment-seeking cigarette smokers with medical/psychiatric comorbidities and had them rate the 'liking' of ECs with varying nicotine levels (12mg, 24mg) and flavors (menthol, 'slim'-tobacco, 'burley'-tobacco).
* Participants chose ECs for a 4-week take-home trial and used EC and/or combustible cigarettes as they wished.
* The study found that smokers who chose menthol-flavor, tobacco-flavor, and/or 24mg nicotine e-liquids rated these conditions as more 'liked' than alternative options.
* Groups who chose 12mg versus 24mg throughout the take-home trial did not significantly differ on baseline characteristics or smoking-related outcomes.
* Motivation to quit smoking increased more from baseline to one-month follow-up in choosers of higher nicotine (24mg) ECs.
Main Message:
The study suggests that access to 12mg or 24mg nicotine ECs was associated with reduced smoking and increased motivation to quit smoking in smokers with medical/psychiatric comorbidities. The associations between subjective ratings and subsequent choice support the feasibility of open-label choice-procedures in EC trials. However, it is important to note that the study has limitations, including a relatively small sample size and open-label study design, and further research is needed to confirm these findings.
Citation
DeVito EE, Buta E, Sofuoglu M. E-cigarette nicotine dose and flavor: Relationship with appeal, choice, and tobacco use amongst veterans with comorbid psychiatric disorders. Addictive Behaviors. 2019;92:53-57. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.12.013
