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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2016 Apr;25(e1):e6-9.
doi: 10.1136/tobaccocontrol-2015-052447. Epub 2015 Aug 31.

Electronic cigarette nicotine delivery can exceed that of combustible cigarettes: a preliminary report

Carolina P Ramôa  1 , Marzena M Hiler  1 , Tory R Spindle  1 , Alexa A Lopez  1 , Nareg Karaoghlanian  2 , Thokozeni Lipato  3 , Alison B Breland  1 , Alan Shihadeh  4 , Thomas Eissenberg  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Electronic cigarette nicotine delivery can exceed that of combustible cigarettes: a preliminary report

Carolina P Ramôa et al. Tob Control. 2016 Apr.

Abstract

Introduction: Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) aerosolise a liquid that usually contains propylene glycol and/or vegetable glycerine, flavourants and the dependence-producing drug, nicotine, in various concentrations. This laboratory study examined the relationship between liquid nicotine concentration and plasma nicotine concentration and puffing behaviour in experienced ECIG users.

Methods: Sixteen ECIG-experienced participants used a 3.3-Volt ECIG battery attached to a 1.5-Ohm dual-coil 'cartomiser' loaded with 1 mL of a flavoured propylene glycol/vegetable glycerine liquid to complete four sessions, at least 2 days apart, that differed by nicotine concentration (0, 8, 18 or 36 mg/mL). In each session, participants completed two 10-puff ECIG-use bouts (30 s puff interval) separated by 60 min. Venous blood was sampled to determine plasma nicotine concentration. Puff duration, volume and average flow rate were measured.

Results: Immediately after bout 1, mean plasma nicotine concentration was 5.5 ng/mL (SD=7.7) for 0 mg/mL liquid, with significantly (p<0.05) higher mean concentrations observed for the 8 (mean=17.8 ng/mL, SD=14.6), 18 (mean=25.9 ng/mL, SD=17.5) and 36 mg/mL (mean=30.2 ng/mL; SD=20.0) concentrations; a similar pattern was observed for bout 2. For bout 1, at 36 mg/mL, the mean post- minus pre-bout difference was 24.1 ng/mL (SD=18.3). Puff topography data were consistent with previous results and revealed few reliable differences across conditions.

Discussion: This study demonstrates a relationship between ECIG liquid nicotine concentration and user plasma nicotine concentration in experienced ECIG users. Nicotine delivery from some ECIGs may exceed that of a combustible cigarette. The rationale for this higher level of nicotine delivery is uncertain.

Keywords: Addiction; Electronic nicotine delivery devices; Nicotine.

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Conflict of interest statement

Competing interests

The authors have no conflict of interest to report.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Plasma nicotine concentration versus time as a function of ECIG nicotine concentration
Mean (± SEM) plasma nicotine values for 16 experienced ECIG users using ECIGS that varied by liquid nicotine concentration. Bouts consisting of ECIG use for 10 puffs with a 30-sec IPI are denoted by arrows. Filled symbols indicate a significant (p<0.05) difference from 0 mg/ml ECIG liquid at that time point.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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