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

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)

Combining app-based behavioral therapy with electronic cigarettes for smoking cessation: a study protocol for a single-arm mixed-methods pilot trial

“…through in-lab studies) and it is unclear if users can derive sufficient nicotine from the EC to suppress their cravings. If an EC is not able to suppress cravings effectively, cigarette smoking may continue [ 80 , 81 ].…”

Recent findings in the pharmacology of inhaled nicotine: Preclinical and clinical in vivo studies

“…This limits the interpretation of results and makes it difficult to compare across studies. Also, many rodent and human studies compared findings to the well-studied tobacco product, cigarettes (De La Garza et al, 2019;Glynos et al, 2018;Larcombe et al, 2017;Phillips et al, 2018;Rüther et al, 2018;Van Heel et al, 2017). Comparing non-combustible inhaled nicotine products to cigarettes may minimize the understanding of their effects and limit our understanding of new pharmacological implications for inhaled nicotine products that are non-combustible.…”