Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2019 Sep;28(5):361-366.
doi: 10.1111/ajad.12895. Epub 2019 May 8.

A Pilot Study of E-Cigarette Naïve Cigarette Smokers and the Effects on Craving After Acute Exposure to E-Cigarettes in the Laboratory

Richard De La Garza 2nd  1 , Samuel L Shuman  1 , Luba Yammine  1 , Jin Ho Yoon  1 , Ramiro Salas  1 , Manuela Holst  1
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

A Pilot Study of E-Cigarette Naïve Cigarette Smokers and the Effects on Craving After Acute Exposure to E-Cigarettes in the Laboratory

Richard De La Garza 2nd et al. Am J Addict. 2019 Sep.

Abstract

Background and objectives: Recent surveys confirm continued increases in the use of electronic-cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in adolescents and adults. Users often state that e-cigarettes reduce tobacco craving and withdrawal symptoms in addition to their smoking. Data from laboratory studies and clinical trials have confirmed these statements, though there are inconsistencies in the outcomes. In this pilot study, we set out to evaluate the effects of e-cigarettes, as compared to the participants' own cigarettes, on baseline craving and smoking severity.

Methods: Using a within-subjects, placebo-controlled study design, 15 tobacco-dependent, e-cigarette naïve participants sustained abstinence overnight. They completed distinct phases of this protocol during four separate study sessions. Participants were randomized to an e-cigarette device containing one of three doses of nicotine (0, 18, or 36 mg/ml) or their own cigarette. Each study visit was ~3 hours long and separated by at least 7 days. Visits included assessments of craving and smoking severity.

Results: The data showed that after 10 puffs in both the Own cigarette and e-cigarette conditions, breath carbon monoxide levels increased significantly in the former but not the latter. Questionnaire of Smoking Urges and Choices to Smoke scores were not statistically different across groups after two distinct bouts of 10 puffs each. Additionally, E-cigarette Perceptions Questionnaire responses were not significantly different according to dose.

Conclusion and scientific significance: This experiment provides data demonstrating that e-cigarettes did not reduce craving or smoking severity in e-cigarette naïve users. However, since this was a pilot study, the conclusions that can be drawn are limited. (Am J Addict 2019;28:361-366).

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this paper.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
QSU Scores Were Not Significant After Puff Bouts.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Choices to Smoke Showed No Significant Effect
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Schoenborn CA, Clarke TC. QuickStats: percentage of adults who ever used an e-cigarette and percentage who currently use e-cigarettes, by age group—National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2016. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2017;66(33):892. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Marynak KL, Gammon DG, King BA, et al. National and state trends in sales of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, U.S., 2011-2015. Am J Prev Med. 2017;53(1):96–101. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Farsalinos KE, Romagna G, Tsiapras D, Kyrzopoulos S, Voudris V. Evaluating nicotine levels selection and patterns of electronic cigarette use in a group of “vapers” who had achieved complete substitution of smoking. Subst Abuse. 2013;7:139–46. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Lopez AA, Hiler MM, Soule EK, et al. Effects of electronic cigarette liquid nicotine concentration on plasma nicotine and puff topography in tobacco cigarette smokers: a preliminary report. Nicotine Tob Res. 2015;18(5):720–3. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Eissenberg T Electronic nicotine delivery devices: Ineffective nicotine delivery and craving suppression after acute administration. Tob Control. 2010;19:87–8 - PMC - PubMed

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources