Summary
Introduction:
This text discusses a study examining the potential unintended consequences of regulating nicotine concentration in electronic cigarettes (ECIGs). The study investigates how limiting nicotine concentration may lead ECIG users to adopt higher-powered devices and increase their exposure to toxic and carcinogenic carbonyl compounds. The text highlights the importance of considering multiple factors and outcomes simultaneously when designing regulations.
Key Points:
* The study used a SMOK®TF-N2 air Core ECIG device and measured liquid aerosolized and carbonyl compound (CC) yields at different power levels.
* Liquid consumed and CC emissions increased significantly with power.
* The study found that users may compensate by adopting higher power devices when nicotine concentration is limited, leading to greater exposure to toxic and carcinogenic CCs.
* The study used a second-order polynomial expression to fit mass of liquid aerosolized to device power and an exponential expression to fit total CC yields to power.
* The study did not contain nicotine, so the estimated nicotine concentration required to produce a nicotine yield of 1.8 mg was computed for any given power.
* The study found that users may be exposed to 83 times the levels of CCs and 14 times the mass of liquid aerosolized for the same nicotine yield when using higher power devices.
* The study notes that other compensatory behavior, such as altering puff duration and volume, may also increase users' toxicant exposure.
Main Message:
The study emphasizes the need for regulators to consider multiple factors and outcomes simultaneously when designing regulations for ECIGs. Limiting nicotine concentration alone may lead to unintended consequences, such as increased exposure to toxic and carcinogenic CCs. The text highlights the importance of addressing multiple relevant variables and outcomes in combination, rather than one at a time, to minimize harm.
Citation
Talih S, Salman R, El-hage R, et al. Might limiting liquid nicotine concentration result in more toxic electronic cigarette aerosols? Tobacco control. 2021;30(3):348-350. doi:10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2019-055523
