Summary
Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the abuse liability of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) across nicotine concentration and power settings. The study involves exclusive ENDS users and dual users of ENDS and combustible cigarettes.
Key Points:
* The study used a clinical laboratory design with four Latin-square ordered conditions that varied by liquid nicotine concentration (10 mg/ml or 30 mg/ml) and device power (15 watts or 30 watts).
* a progressive ratio task (PRT) was used to assess abuse liability by measuring the number of bar presses required to earn ENDS puffs.
* The low nicotine/high watt condition was associated with a significantly higher number of bar presses and puffs earned compared to other conditions.
* Findings appeared to be driven largely by exclusive ENDS users, while most comparisons were not significant among dual users.
* Participants worked significantly harder for puffs of low nicotine/high watt ENDS, highlighting the potential insufficiency of limiting liquid nicotine concentration without addressing power settings to reduce abuse liability.
Main Message:
The study emphasizes the importance of considering device power settings when regulating nicotine concentration in ENDS. Limiting nicotine concentration alone may be insufficient to reduce the abuse liability of ENDS, and further research is needed to understand the impact of combining nicotine concentration and power settings on abuse liability. Regulatory efforts should consider addressing both factors to promote optimal public health benefits.
Citation
hoetger C, Bono RS, White aM, Barnes aJ, Cobb CO. The interaction of nicotine concentration and device power on electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) abuse liability among exclusive ENDS users and dual users of ENDS and combustible cigarettes. Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology. 2022;30(6):973-982. doi:10.1037/pha0000523
