The Role of Nicotine and Flavor in the abuse Potential and appeal of Electronic Cigarettes for adult Current and Former Cigarette and Electronic Cigarette Users: a Systematic Review.

Introduction:
This summary will provide an overview of a systematic review on the role of nicotine and flavor in the abuse potential and appeal of electronic cigarettes for adult current and former cigarette and electronic cigarette users. The review includes studies on the effects of nicotine concentration and flavor on e-cigarette abuse potential and appeal, and aims to understand how these factors may impact smokers' ability to switch to e-cigarettes as a reduced-harm alternative to cigarettes.

Key Points:

* The review includes 104 studies published between 2007 and 2020.
* higher nicotine concentrations and access to a variety of flavors are associated with higher abuse potential and appeal of e-cigarettes for adult current and former cigarette and electronic cigarette users.
* E-cigarettes with higher abuse potential and appeal might facilitate complete switching from cigarettes.
* Future e-cigarette regulations should take into account their impact on smokers, as higher nicotine concentrations and flavor variety may help facilitate complete switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes.

Main Message:
The review suggests that higher nicotine concentrations and the availability of a variety of flavors in e-cigarettes might facilitate complete substitution for cigarettes, which could have potential harm reduction benefits for smokers. however, it is important for future e-cigarette regulations to consider the impact on smokers, as restrictions on nicotine concentration and flavors aimed at decreasing naïve uptake may inadvertently decrease uptake and complete switching among smokers, reducing the harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes. It is crucial to strike a balance between protecting public health and ensuring that e-cigarettes remain a viable reduced-harm alternative for smokers.

Gades MS, alcheva a, Riegelman aL, hatsukami DK. The Role of Nicotine and Flavor in the abuse Potential and appeal of Electronic Cigarettes for adult Current and Former Cigarette and Electronic Cigarette Users: a Systematic Review. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. 2022;24(9):1332-1343. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntac073