Exposure to fruit-flavoring during adolescence increases nicotine consumption and promotes dose escalation.

Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the role of flavored nicotine access on nicotine preference and consumption in adolescent and adult mice. The study found that adolescent mice, particularly females, preferred flavored nicotine over unflavored nicotine and consumed higher doses of nicotine when it was flavored. In addition, mice with a history of flavored nicotine use in adolescence were more likely to maintain baseline levels of nicotine consumption in adulthood, even when the nicotine concentration was reduced.

Key Points:

* The study used male and female adolescent mice in a longitudinal design, measuring nicotine preference and consumption from adolescence to adulthood.
* adolescent mice, particularly females, preferred flavored nicotine over unflavored nicotine and consumed higher doses of nicotine when it was flavored.
* Mice with a history of flavored nicotine use in adolescence were more likely to maintain baseline levels of nicotine consumption in adulthood, even when the nicotine concentration was reduced.
* adding fruit-flavorants to nicotine solutions in adulthood led to increased levels of nicotine consumption, regardless of previous flavored-nicotine access or of familiarity with the selected flavorant.
* The study suggests that flavorants increase nicotine consumption independent of life stage, possibly posing a disproportionate risk to adolescent females.
* The results also point to an effect of adolescent flavored-nicotine use on nicotine dose maintenance in adulthood, which could have implications for the success of future quit attempts.

Main Message:
The study highlights the potential risks associated with flavored nicotine use, particularly in adolescent females. The findings suggest that flavored nicotine may increase nicotine consumption and dependence, making it more difficult for individuals to quit in the future. Regulatory agencies should consider these risks when evaluating the safety and efficacy of flavored nicotine products.

Patten T, Dreier a, herman RJ, Kimball Ba, De Biasi M. Exposure to fruit-flavoring during adolescence increases nicotine consumption and promotes dose escalation. Neuropharmacology. 2021;195:108672. doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2021.108672