Electronic cigarettes: effective nicotine delivery after acute administration

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are marketed as nicotine delivery devices. Two studies with EC-naïve participants suggest that ECs deliver little or no nicotine. In those studies, standard-sized ECs were used, though experienced EC users often use larger devices that house higher voltage and/or longer lasting batteries. Whether user experience and device characteristics influence EC nicotine delivery is uncertain. The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of ECs in experienced users who were using their preferred devices.

Methods: Eight EC users (3 women) who had been using ECs for at least 3 months, completed one 5-hr session using devices they provided and the flavor/strength nicotine cartridges they selected. Sessions consisted of 4 phases: baseline, 10 puffs (30-s interpuff interval) from the device, 1-hr ad lib puffing period, and a 2-hr rest period (no puffing). Outcome measures in each phase included plasma nicotine concentration, heart rate, and subjective ratings of nicotine/product effects and abstinence symptoms.

Results: Relative to baseline, plasma nicotine and heart rate increased significantly within 5 min of the first puff and remained elevated throughout the ad lib puffing period. Increases in ratings of direct effects of nicotine and product were observed as well as decreases in abstinence symptoms.

Conclusions: User experience and/or device characteristics likely influence EC nicotine delivery and other effects. Systematic manipulation of these and other variables could elucidate conditions that produce intended effects.

Figure 1.

Top panel: M (±1 SEM) plasma nicotine (assay’s limit of quantitation = 2 ng/ml; Breland, Kleykamp, & Eissenberg, 2006) levels at baseline (−5) and during the 10-puff and 1-hr ad lib puffing periods. Filled symbols indicate a significant difference from baseline. Bottom panel: M (+1 SEM) response to a visual analogue scale item assessing “restlessness” (0–100 scale) at baseline and the end of the 10-puff, ad lib, and rest periods. An asterisk indicates a significant difference from baseline. Data are from eight electronic cigarettes (EC) using participants who abstained from ECs for at least 12 hr before session. Paired t tests were used to compare means, p ≤ .05.