Abuse Liability of Electronic Cigarettes in Never-Smoking Electronic Cigarette Users.

Abstract

Introduction: Modern pod-style electronic cigarette (ECIG) devices appear to have a high potential for abuse, though minimal laboratory-based work has evaluated the effects of these products among users of ECIGs without a history of cigarette smoking. Thus, this study compared the subjective and behavioral effects of pod-style ECIGs to nicotine gum in such a sample.

Aims and methods: Young adult (Mage = 20.75 years, SD = 2.02) users of pod-style ECIGs (N = 16) completed three conditions that differed by product used: own ECIG, 4 mg nicotine gum, or placebo gum. Within sessions, participants abstained from nicotine/tobacco use overnight and then experienced two product use bouts separated by 60 minutes. Specifically, they either used their own ECIG ad libitum for 5 minutes or chewed the gum for 30 minutes. Before and/or after each bout, they completed subjective (eg, craving, product effects) and behavioral (multiple choice procedure) measures.

Results: Significant decreases in intention to vape were observed from before to after use of ECIGs (p < .01) but not after 4 mg or placebo gum. Similarly, ratings of relief and satisfaction were significantly higher for ECIGs than for either gum dose at both bouts (p's < .01). The crossover point was higher for ECIGs than for gum, though differences were not significant.

Conclusions: Pod-style devices were more reinforcing than nicotine gum in a vulnerable population of users of ECIGs. There is a clear need for continued monitoring of these modern devices, which are known for containing high concentrations of nicotine and for being attractive to younger populations.

Implications: People with ECIG experience, but who have never regularly smoked cigarettes, represent a growing population of nicotine users. Results demonstrate that modern ECIG devices are more reinforcing than nicotine gum and therefore have a higher abuse liability for this vulnerable population.