Effects of Switching to Electronic Cigarettes with and without Concurrent Smoking on Exposure to Nicotine, Carbon Monoxide, and acrolein

Introduction:
This article investigates the effects of switching to electronic cigarettes (EC) on exposure to nicotine, carbon monoxide, and acrolein in smokers. The study compares exposure levels before and after 4 weeks of EC use, both in exclusive EC users and dual users. The research aims to provide data for considering the potential of EC in harm reduction.

Key Points:

* The study recruited 40 adult smokers who wanted to quit and excluded pregnant or breastfeeding women, those with serious illnesses, and those who had used EC for more than a week in the past.
* Participants were provided with a Green Smoke EC (labeled 2.4% nicotine) and received standard behavioral support. a subsample of 10 participants also provided pharmacokinetic data on nicotine delivery from EC.
* The study used a "cig-a-like" Green Smoke EC device, which provided a consistent nicotine content and delivered 9 mg of nicotine in aerosol over 300 puffs.
* aerosol generated from 5 Green Smoke cartridges was tested for acrolein content using a smoking machine, with an average acrolein yield of 19.4 ng in 15 puffs.
* Participants' urine samples were collected at baseline and at 4 weeks after TqD to assay for 3-hPMa and cotinine.
* The primary metabolite of acrolein, S-(3-hydroxypropyl)mercapturic acid (3-hPMa), was measured to assess exposure to acrolein.
* The study found that EC use significantly reduces exposure to acrolein in dual users, with a 60% decrease in 3-hPMa levels compared to baseline.
* Exclusive EC users also showed a significant reduction in 3-hPMa levels (79% decrease) and a significant decrease in CO levels (80% decrease).

Main Message:
The study demonstrates that EC use can significantly reduce exposure to harmful toxicants, such as acrolein, in smokers. Dual use of EC and conventional cigarettes results in a significant reduction in acrolein exposure due to a decrease in smoke intake. These findings suggest that EC may have a role in harm reduction strategies for smokers. however, long-term follow-up studies are needed to confirm the potential benefits of EC use in reducing health risks associated with smoking.

McRobbie, hayden, anna Phillips, Maciej L. Goniewicz, Katie Myers Smith, Oliver Knight-West, Dunja Przulj, and Peter hajek. “Effects of Switching to Electronic Cigarettes with and without Concurrent Smoking on Exposure to Nicotine, Carbon Monoxide, and acrolein.” Cancer Prevention Research 8, no. 9 (September 1, 2015): 873–78. https://doi.org/10.1158/1940-6207.CaPR-15-0058.