‘Real-world’ compensatory behaviour with low nicotine concentration e-liquid: subjective effects and nicotine, acrolein and formaldehyde exposure

Article


Dawkins, Lynne, Cox, Sharon, Goniewicz, Maciej, McRobbie, Hayden, Kimber, C., Doig, Mira and Kośmider, Leon 2018. ‘Real-world’ compensatory behaviour with low nicotine concentration e-liquid: subjective effects and nicotine, acrolein and formaldehyde exposure. Addiction. 113 (10), pp. 1874-1882. https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14271
AuthorsDawkins, Lynne, Cox, Sharon, Goniewicz, Maciej, McRobbie, Hayden, Kimber, C., Doig, Mira and Kośmider, Leon
Abstract

Aims

To compare the effects of (i) high versus low nicotine concentration e‐liquid, (ii) fixed versus adjustable power and (iii) the interaction between the two on: (a) vaping behaviour, (b) subjective effects, (c) nicotine intake and (d) exposure to acrolein and formaldehyde in e‐cigarette users vaping in their everyday setting.
Design

Counterbalanced, repeated measures with four conditions: (i) low nicotine (6 mg/ml)/fixed power; (ii) low nicotine/adjustable power; (iii) high nicotine (18 mg/ml)/fixed power; and (iv) high nicotine/adjustable power.
Setting

London and the South East, England.
Participants

Twenty experienced e‐cigarette users (recruited between September 2016 and February 2017) vaped ad libitum using an eVic Supreme™ with a ‘Nautilus Aspire’ tank over 4 weeks (1 week per condition).
Measurements

Puffing patterns [daily puff number (PN), puff duration (PD), interpuff interval (IPI)], ml of e‐liquid consumed, changes to power (where permitted) and subjective effects (urge to vape, nicotine withdrawal symptoms) were measured in each condition. Nicotine intake was measured via salivary cotinine. 3‐Hydroxypropylmercapturic acid (3‐HPMA), a metabolite of the toxicant acrolein, and formate, a metabolite of the carcinogen formaldehyde, were measured in urine.
Findings

There was a significant nicotine concentration × power interaction for PD (P < 0.01). PD was longer with low nicotine/fixed power compared with (i) high nicotine/fixed power (P < 0.001) and (ii) low nicotine/adjustable power (P < 0.01). PN and liquid consumed were higher in the low versus high nicotine condition (main effect of nicotine, P < 0.05). Urge to vape and withdrawal symptoms were lower, and nicotine intake was higher, in the high nicotine condition (main effects of nicotine: P < 0.01). While acrolein levels did not differ, there was a significant nicotine × power interaction for formaldehyde (P < 0.05).
Conclusions

Use of a lower nicotine concentration e‐liquid may be associated with compensatory behaviour (e.g. higher number and duration of puffs) and increases in negative affect, urge to vape and formaldehyde exposure.

JournalAddiction
Journal citation113 (10), pp. 1874-1882
ISSN0965-2140
Year2018
PublisherWiley
Publisher's version
License
Publisher's version
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14271
Web address (URL)https://doi.org/10.1111/add.14271
Publication dates
Online19 Jun 2018
Print06 Sep 2018
Publication process dates
Deposited26 Sep 2018
Accepted15 May 2018
Accepted15 May 2018
FunderCancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Copyright information© 2018 The authors
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