Effects of Electronic Cigarette Liquid Nicotine Concentration on Plasma Nicotine and Puff Topography in Tobacco Cigarette Smokers: a Preliminary Report

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study examining the relationship between the nicotine concentration of electronic cigarette (ECIG) liquid and the resulting plasma nicotine concentration in ECIG-naïve tobacco cigarette smokers. The study also explores the effects of liquid nicotine concentration on puff topography. The key points and main message of this study are crucial for understanding the potential impact of ECIGs on nicotine delivery and cigarette smoking behavior.

Key Points:

1. The study involved 16 ECIG-naïve tobacco cigarette smokers who completed four sessions with different nicotine concentrations (0, 8, 18, and 36 mg/ml) in a 1.5 Ohm, dual coil "cartomizer" powered by a 3.3 V battery.
2. Participants completed two, 10-puff ECIG use bouts with a 30-second inter-puff interval, and venous blood samples were taken before and after bouts for later analysis of plasma nicotine concentration.
3. Puff duration, volume, and average flow rate were measured during each bout.
4. Plasma nicotine concentration significantly increased with higher liquid nicotine concentrations, reaching cigarette-like levels with the 36 mg/ml condition.
5. Participants taking significantly shorter puffs in the 36 mg/ml condition compared to the 0 mg/ml condition.
6. Puff volume increased during the second bout for 8 and 18 mg/ml conditions.
7. No adverse events occurred during the study.

Main Message:
The main message of this study is that ECIG liquid nicotine concentration significantly affects plasma nicotine concentration in ECIG-naïve tobacco cigarette smokers. at certain concentrations, the nicotine delivery profile of an ECIG can approach that of a combustible tobacco cigarette for this population. This finding underscores the importance of considering nicotine delivery when evaluating ECIGs as a potential harm reduction tool for cigarette smokers, as well-designed ECIGs may help smokers replace combustible tobacco cigarettes more effectively.

Lopez, alexa a., Marzena M. hiler, Eric K. Soule, Carolina P. Ramôa, Nareg V. Karaoghlanian, Thokozeni Lipato, alison B. Breland, alan L. Shihadeh, and Thomas Eissenberg. “Effects of Electronic Cigarette Liquid Nicotine Concentration on Plasma Nicotine and Puff Topography in Tobacco Cigarette Smokers: a Preliminary Report.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research 18, no. 5 (May 2016): 720–23. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntv182.