The Time Course of Compensatory Puffing With an Electronic Cigarette: Secondary analysis of Real-World Puffing Data With high and Low Nicotine Concentration Under Fixed and adjustable Power Settings.

Introduction:
This text is a secondary analysis of a study examining the time course of compensatory puffing behavior with electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) refilled with low versus high nicotine concentration e-liquid under fixed and adjustable power settings. The study aims to understand how vapers compensate for poor nicotine delivery over five consecutive days.

Key Points:

* The study included 19 experienced vapers who vaped ad libitum for five consecutive days under four counterbalanced conditions: low nicotine/fixed power, low nicotine/adjustable power, high nicotine/fixed power, and high nicotine/adjustable power.
* Puff number, puff duration, and power settings were recorded by the device, and total daily puffing time was calculated by multiplying daily puff number by mean daily puff duration.
* The study found that under fixed power conditions, vapers appeared to compensate for poor nicotine delivery by taking longer puffs, and this compensatory puffing appeared to be maintained over time.
* Under adjustable power conditions, puffing patterns remained stable over time.
* The compensatory behavior was largely maintained via longer puff duration.
* The findings suggest that when power is fixed, compensation via more intensive puffing appears prolonged, persisting up to five days.
* Under adjustable settings when power is increased, puffing patterns remain stable over time.
* The implications of such compensatory behaviors for product safety and user satisfaction need further exploration.

Main Message:
The study highlights the importance of understanding compensatory behavior in e-cigarette users, particularly in relation to nicotine strength and device power settings. The findings suggest that vapers show a different pattern of compensation compared to smokers, with compensation via more intensive puffing appearing prolonged under fixed power conditions. Further exploration is needed to understand the implications of these compensatory behaviors for product safety and user satisfaction.

Cox S, Goniewicz ML, Kosmider L, McRobbie h, Kimber C, Dawkins L. The Time Course of Compensatory Puffing With an Electronic Cigarette: Secondary analysis of Real-World Puffing Data With high and Low Nicotine Concentration Under Fixed and adjustable Power Settings. Nicotine & tobacco research : official journal of the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco. 2021;23(7):1153-1159. doi:10.1093/ntr/ntab013