appeal, subjective effects, and relative reinforcing effects of JUUL that vary in flavor and nicotine content.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the appeal and subjective effects of JUUL electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) products that vary in flavor and nicotine content. The study uses a novel concurrent choice task to evaluate the relative reinforcement of JUUL products with varying characteristics. The findings suggest that restricting JUUL flavor to tobacco-only results in decreased appeal, while reducing nicotine content does not have an effect on product appeal.

Key Points:

* The study used a novel concurrent choice task to assess the relative reinforcement of JUUL products with varying characteristics.
* Participants were young adults who use JUUL and reported using a JUUL device ≥15 days per month for ≥3 months.
* Participants were randomized into two studies: one comparing preferred flavor versus tobacco flavor (Flavor Study) and another comparing preferred nicotine content (5%) versus lower nicotine content (3%) (Nicotine Study).
* In the Flavor Study, participants rated their preferred pod significantly more favorably than the non-preferred pod on a number of subjective effects items.
* Participants in the Flavor Study earned a significantly greater proportion of puffs from their preferred-flavor pod than from the non-preferred tobacco-flavored pod.
* In the Nicotine Study, participants rated their preferred and non-preferred pods similarly on all subjective effects items.
* Participants in the Nicotine Study earned a significantly greater number of puffs from the non-preferred pod (3% nicotine content) as compared to their preferred pod (5% nicotine content).

Main Message:
The study findings suggest that restricting JUUL flavor to tobacco-only may decrease the appeal of these products among young adults, while reducing nicotine content does not have an effect on product appeal. The study also validates a novel methodology for delivering fixed doses of ENDS vapor within the context of a task aimed at assessing the relative reinforcement of ENDS products with varying characteristics, which can be applied to assessing the relative reinforcing effects of a wide variety of tobacco products with varied characteristics.

Pacek LR, Kozink RV, Carson CE, McClernon FJ. appeal, subjective effects, and relative reinforcing effects of JUUL that vary in flavor and nicotine content. Experimental and clinical psychopharmacology. 2021;29(3):279-287. doi:10.1037/pha0000481