Summary
Introduction:
This text summarizes a study examining the effects of altering nicotine concentrations and flavorings in e-cigarettes on pleasant and unpleasant oral sensations and liking among non-treatment-seeking cigarette smokers. The study aimed to determine if flavor and nicotine preferences were moderated by sex and by PROP bitter taster phenotype. The results could have implications both for the regulation of flavors in e-cigarettes and for the use of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation efforts.
Key Points:
* The study recruited 132 adult smokers and had them vape e-cigarettes with different flavorings and nicotine levels.
* Participants rated the bitterness/sourness, irritation, sweetness, and liking of each e-juice.
* The study found that cherry and chocolate flavors were rated as significantly sweeter than unflavored e-juice.
* Menthol flavoring was rated as the most liked, regardless of nicotine content.
* high nicotine e-juices were rated as more irritating than no-nicotine e-juice.
* Women had lower odds of rating e-juices as bitter or sour than men.
* Nh black participants reported higher overall liking of e-juices than Nh white participants.
* Supertasters reported greater liking for menthol than for unflavored e-juice.
Main Message:
The study findings suggest that flavorings and nicotine levels can significantly impact the sensory and liking ratings of e-cigarettes among smokers. The results highlight the importance of considering individual differences in taste perception and nicotine sensitivity when regulating e-cigarettes and promoting their use in smoking cessation efforts. The preference for menthol flavoring among women and supertasters requires further investigation to determine its potential impact on smoking cessation outcomes.
Citation
Mead EL, Duffy V, Oncken C, Litt MD. E-cigarette palatability in smokers as a function of flavorings, nicotine content and propylthiouracil (PROP) taster phenotype. addict Behav. 2019;91:37-44. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.11.014
