human abuse liability assessment of e-cigarettes: Why, what and how?

Introduction:
This text discusses the importance of assessing the abuse liability of e-cigarettes as part of the regulatory process. The study design and key points of several human abuse liability studies of e-cigarettes are presented, with a focus on the impact of nicotine delivery and subjective effects on abuse liability.

Key Points:

* abuse liability assessment is an important component of e-cigarette regulation.
* Nicotine delivery and subjective effects are key factors in determining abuse liability.
* Most abuse liability studies of e-cigarettes have found that they have lower abuse liability compared to combustible cigarettes, but higher abuse liability compared to nicotine replacement therapies.
* Study designs for abuse liability assessment of e-cigarettes vary, but typically involve randomized, crossover studies with either defined or ad libitum puffing.
* Blood draw limitations and ethical considerations can impact study design.
* abuse liability assessment can inform regulatory decisions and public health impact assessments.
* There is a need for standardization and best practices in abuse liability assessment of e-cigarettes.

Main Message:
assessing the abuse liability of e-cigarettes is crucial for informing regulatory decisions and ensuring public health. While most studies have found that e-cigarettes have lower abuse liability compared to combustible cigarettes, there is a need for standardization and best practices in study design. By understanding the impact of nicotine delivery and subjective effects on abuse liability, regulators can make informed decisions to support tobacco harm reduction efforts while minimizing the potential for addiction.

Fearon IM. human abuse liability assessment of e-cigarettes: Why, what and how? Drug testing and analysis. Published online March 17, 2022. doi:10.1002/dta.3251