Nicotine absorption from e-cigarettes over 12 months.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the relationship between nicotine absorption and e-cigarette use over a 12-month period. The study measures nicotine absorption through salivary levels of the nicotine metabolite cotinine, nicotine concentrations in e-liquid, volume of e-liquid consumed, device types, and flavors used by experienced vapers at two time points.

Key Points:

* The study found that vapers reduced both their nicotine concentrations in e-liquid and increased their e-liquid consumption over 12 months.
* There was no significant change in salivary cotinine concentrations, indicating that vapers maintained stable nicotine intake.
* The use of sub-ohming and fruit-flavored e-liquids increased at the 12-month follow-up.
* The study suggests that vapers may self-titrate when lowering their nicotine e-liquid concentration, resulting in higher e-liquid consumption and potential health and financial costs.
* The study consisted of a small sample size of experienced vapers, known to the researchers, and relied on self-reported data.
* The findings have implications for public health messaging and regulations around nicotine concentrations of e-liquids.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding the relationship between nicotine absorption and e-cigarette use. While vapers may reduce nicotine concentrations in e-liquid, they may compensate by increasing e-liquid consumption, potentially leading to higher exposure to harmful chemicals. The findings suggest that reducing nicotine e-liquid concentration may not have the intended health or addiction-reducing benefits and have implications for public health messaging and regulations around nicotine concentrations of e-liquids.

Soar K, Kimber C, McRobbie h, Dawkins LE. Nicotine absorption from e-cigarettes over 12 months. addictive Behaviors. 2019;91:102-105. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.07.019