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. 2022 Jan:124:107117.
doi: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2021.107117. Epub 2021 Sep 13.

E-cigarette device and liquid characteristics and E-cigarette dependence: A pilot study of pod-based and disposable E-cigarette users

Elizabeth K Do  1 , Katie O'Connor  2 , Siobhan N Perks  3 , Eric K Soule  4 , Thomas Eissenberg  5 , Michael S Amato  6 , Amanda L Graham  7 , Corby K Martin  8 , Christoph Höchsmann  9 , Bernard F Fuemmeler  10
Affiliations

E-cigarette device and liquid characteristics and E-cigarette dependence: A pilot study of pod-based and disposable E-cigarette users

Elizabeth K Do et al. Addict Behav. 2022 Jan.

Abstract

Background: E-cigarette device and liquid characteristics, such as electrical power output and liquid nicotine concentration, determine the rate at which nicotine is emitted from the e-cigarette (i.e., nicotine flux), and thus are likely to influence user nicotine dependence. We hypothesize that nicotine flux would be associated with the E-cigarette Dependence Scale (EDS) among pod-based and disposable e-cigarette products.

Methods: Data were obtained from online panel participants between 18 and 65 years of age, who had indicated that they were either former or current e-cigarette users and resided within the United States (N = 1036). To be included in these analyses, participants had to provide information regarding device type (pod-based or disposable), power (watts), and nicotine concentration (mg/mL), from which we could determine nicotine flux (µg/s) (N = 666). To assess the relationship between nicotine flux and EDS, a series of multivariable linear regressions were conducted. Each model was separated by device type and adjusted for by age and past 30-day e-cigarette use.

Results: Greater nicotine flux was associated with higher EDS scores among pod-based e-cigarette users (beta = 0.19, SE = 0.09, p-value = 0.043), but not users of disposable e-cigarettes. Neither power nor nicotine concentration were associated with EDS scores among users of either e-cigarette device type.

Conclusion: Results support the hypothesis that nicotine flux is positively associated with nicotine dependence in a sample of current users of pod-based and disposable e-cigarettes.

Keywords: E-cigarette; Nicotine concentration; Nicotine dependence; Nicotine flux; Power.

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Conflict of interest statement

FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES / CONFLICTS OF INTEREST STATEMENT: Eric Soule, Corby Martin, Thomas Eissenberg, and Bernard Fuemmeler are named on a patent application for a smartphone app that determines electronic cigarette device and liquid characteristics. Thomas Eissenberg is a paid consultant in litigation against the tobacco and electronic cigarette industry and is named on a patent for a device that measures the puffing behavior of electronic cigarette users. All other authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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