Nicotine delivery and relief of craving after consumption of European JUUL e-cigarettes prior and after pod modification.

Introduction:
This text provides an in-depth analysis of the scientific study that compares the performance of two European versions of the pod e-cigarette JUUL with tobacco cigarettes under defined product using conditions. The study was designed to monitor the rise of nicotine blood concentration during the acute phase rather than to reflect real-life product use and nicotine exposure. The key points section will summarize the study design and major findings.

Key Points:

* The study compared the nicotine delivery and urge to smoke/vape after consumption of tobacco cigarettes, the "initial" version of the European JUUL, and the "modified" version of the European JUUL.
* Fifteen active smokers and seventeen active e-cigarette users participated in the study, with forty-one experimental sessions conducted in total.
* Participants were divided into either the tobacco cigarette group or one of the e-cigarette groups according to the product they normally used.
* The study used a pre-directed puffing regimen, with ten puffs taken at thirty-second intervals.
* Blood samples were taken at various time points before, during, and after smoking/vaping to determine nicotine, cotinine, and trans-3'-hydroxycotinine (hydroxycotinine) levels.
* Nicotine delivery and the reduction of urge to smoke/vape upon usage of both European JUUL variants were lower in comparison to tobacco cigarettes.
* The modification of the pod design did not result in significant differences at the first ten puffs.
* The limitations by the initially used wick material only come into effect after longer usage time.

Main Message:
The main message of the study is that the European versions of the JUUL e-cigarette have a lower nicotine delivery and a lower potential for addiction compared to tobacco cigarettes. The modification of the pod design did not result in significant differences in nicotine delivery at the first ten puffs, indicating that the limitations of the initially used wick material only become apparent after longer usage time. These findings suggest that e-cigarettes with high nicotine delivery, such as the US version of JUUL, may have a higher potential for addiction and should be used with caution. It is important for regulatory agencies to consider these findings when evaluating e-cigarettes and developing policies to protect public health.

Mallock N, Rabenstein a, Gernun S, et al. Nicotine delivery and relief of craving after consumption of European JUUL e-cigarettes prior and after pod modification. Scientific reports. 2021;11(1):12078. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-91593-6