Design Features in Multiple Generations of Electronic Cigarette Atomizers.
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SUBMITTER: Williams M
PROVIDER: S-EPMC6720609 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
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Design Features in Multiple Generations of Electronic Cigarette Atomizers.
Williams Monique M Talbot Prue P
International journal of environmental research and public health 20190814 16
The design of electronic cigarette (EC) atomizing units has evolved since their introduction over 10 years ago. The purpose of this study was to evaluate atomizer design in ECs sold between 2011-2017. Atomizers from 34 brands representing three generations of ECs were dissected and photographed using a stereoscopic microscope. Five distinct atomizer design categories were identified in first generation products (cig-a-like/cartomizer) and three categories were found in the third generation. Atom ...[more]
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Project description:BackgroundSince their release in 2004, electronic cigarettes (ECs) and their atomizers have undergone significant evolution.ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the elemental/metal composition of atomizers in cartomizer and tank style ECs produced over a 5-year period.MethodsPopular cartomizer and tank models of ECs were dissected and photographed using a stereoscopic microscope, and elemental analysis of EC atomizers was done using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy.ResultsEight elements/metals were found in most products across and within brands purchased at different times. These included chromium, nickel, copper, silver, tin, silicon, aluminum, and zinc. Iron and lead were found in some but not all products, while manganese, cobalt, molybdenum, titanium, and tungsten were only found in a few of the products. The metals used in various components were often similar in cartomizer and tank models. Filaments were usually chromium and nickel (nichrome), although in some newer products, the filament also contained iron, copper, and manganese. The thick wire in earlier products was usually copper coated with silver, while in some newer products, the thick wire was predominantly nickel. In all products, the wick was silica, and sheaths, when present, were fiberglass (silicon, oxygen, calcium, aluminum, magnesium). Wire-to-wire joints were either brazed or clamped with brass (copper and zinc), and air-tube-to-thick wire joints, when present, were usually soldered with tin. Tank style products generally lacked a thick wire and sheaths.ConclusionIn general, atomizer components in ECs were remarkably similar over time and between brands. Certain elements/metals were consistently found in most models from all generations, and these should be studied carefully to determine if their transfer to aerosols affects user's health and if their accumulation in trash affects the environment.
| S-EPMC8283816 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study was a 3 (Brand: Blu, MarkTen, Vuse) by 3 (Warning Size: 20%, 30%, or 50% of advertisement surface) by 2 (Warning Background: White, Red) experimental investigation of the effects of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) warning label design features. Young adults aged 18-30 years (n = 544) were recruited online, completed demographic and tobacco use history measures, and randomized to view e-cigarette advertisements with warning labels that varied by the experimental conditions. Participants completed a task assessing self-reported visual attention to advertisements with a-priori regions of interest defined around warning labels. Warning message recall and perceived addictiveness of e-cigarettes were assessed post-exposure. Approximately half of participants reported attending to warning labels and reported attention was greater for warnings on red versus white backgrounds. Recall of the warning message content was also greater among those reporting attention to the warning label. Overall, those who viewed warnings on red backgrounds reported lower perceived addictiveness than those who viewed warnings on white backgrounds, and e-cigarette users reported lower perceived addictiveness than non-users. Among e-cigarette users, viewing warnings on white backgrounds produced perceptions more similar to non-users. Greater recall was significantly correlated with greater perceived addictiveness. This study provides some of the first evidence that e-cigarette warning label design features including size and coloring affect self-reported attention and content recall.
| S-EPMC5999554 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Background: While electronic cigarette (ECIG) use is rapidly rising, their safety profile remains uncertain. The effects of tobacco cigarette (TCIG) smoke on bronchial airway epithelial gene-expression have provided insights into tobacco-related disease pathogenesis. Understanding the impact of electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) on airway gene-expression could provide insights into their potential long-term health effects. Objectives: We sought to compare the bronchial airway gene-expression profiles of former TCIG smokers now using ECIGs with the profiles of former and current TCIG smokers. Methods: We performed gene-expression profiling of bronchial epithelial cells collected from TCIG smokers not using ECIGs (n=21), former smokers using ECIGs (n=15), and current TCIG smokers not using ECIGs (n=9). We then compared our findings with previous studies of the effects of TCIG use on bronchial epithelium, as well an in vitro model of ECIG exposure. Results: Amongst 3,165 genes whose expression varied between the three study groups (q < 0.05), we identified 468 genes significantly altered in ECIG users relative to former smokers (p < 0.05). 79 of these genes were up or down-regulated concordantly between ECIG and TCIG. We did not detect ECIG-associated gene expression changes in known pathways associated with TCIG usage. Genes downregulated in ECIG users are enriched among the genes most downregulated by exposure of airway epithelium to ECIG vapor in vitro. Conclusions: TCIG exposure was associated with a larger number of airway gene-expression changes than with ECIG exposures. ECIGs induce both distinct and shared patterns of gene expression relative to TCIGs in the bronchial airway epithelium.
2019-10-09 | GSE112073 | GEO
Project description:Background: The microbiome is increasingly being linked to cancer risk. Little is known about the lung and oral cavity microbiomes in healthy smokers (SM), and even less for electronic cigarette (EC) users, compared healthy never-smokers (NS). Methods: In a cross-sectional pilot study of SM (N=8), EC users (N=10) and NS (N=10) saliva and bronchoscopy-collected bronchoalveolar lavage samples were collected. Bacteria species were identified through metatranscriptome profiling by RNA-sequencing to study associations with the lung and oral microbiome. Pairwise comparisons and linear modeling was assessed with false discovery rates <0.1. Results: Total bacterial load was similar for the SM, EC users and NS, and there was no differences in the bacterial diversity across groups. In the lung, there were 44 bacterial species that were statistically significantly different for SM/NS, 80% of which were decreased in the SM. There were 12 bacterial species that were different for SM/EC users, all of which were decreased, 10 of which were also identified in the SM/NS comparison. The 2 bacterial species unique to SM/EC comparison were Neisseria sp. KEM232 and Curvibacter sp. AEP1-3. From the top 5 decreased species in SM/EC, 3 were also identified in the SM/NS comparison (Neisseria elongata, Neisseria sicca, and Haemophilus parainfluenzae) and 2 of these were unique to the SM/EC comparison (Neisseria zoodegmatis and Ottowia sp. oral taxon 894). There were 8 species increased in SM compared to NS, none of which are known to be clinically significant. In the oral microbiome, 152 bacteria species were differentially abundant for the SM/NS analysis, and only 17 for the EC/NS comparison, all which were also present in SM/NS comparisons. There were 21 bacteria that were differentially abundant in both the lung and oral cavity for SM and NS, 95% also were decreased in the SM. Conclusion: Smoking and EC use do not appear to materially affect the lung microbiome, although differences are noted of unclear clinical significance. Most differentially abundant bacteria decreased, which may be due to a toxic effect of cigarette smoke, including a change in humidity or heating. Given the low number of overlapping oral and lung microbes, the oral microbiome does not appear to be a good surrogate for smoking-related effects in the lung.
2022-07-13 | GSE180785 | GEO
Project description:Analysis of primary human bronchial epithelial cells grown in air liquid interface, exposed in vitro to whole tobacco cigarette smoke (48 puffs, 48 minutes) and electronic cigarette aerosol (400 puffs, 200 minutes). Electronic cigarette exposures included two flavors (menthol, tobacco) both with, and without nicotine.
2016-10-12 | GSE82137 | GEO
Project description:ImportanceMillions of Americans use electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). A growing number of state and local governments have started to draft and implement laws regarding the sale, marketing, and use of e-cigarettes. The association of US state regulations regarding e-cigarettes with e-cigarette use remains unknown.ObjectiveTo examine the association of US state regulations regarding e-cigarettes with current e-cigarette use among adults in the United States.Design, setting, and participantsThis cross-sectional study included adults aged 18 years or older from the 2016 and 2017 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which is a nationwide, telephone-administered survey that collects state-representative data on health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services. Data analysis was performed from February 1, 2019, to April 31, 2019.ExposuresUnited States state laws regulating e-cigarette use, including prohibiting e-cigarette use in indoor areas of private workplaces, restaurants, and bars; requiring retailers to purchase a license to sell e-cigarettes; prohibiting self-service displays of e-cigarettes; prohibiting sales of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to persons younger than 21 years; and e-cigarette taxes.Main outcomes and measuresCurrent use of e-cigarettes.ResultsAmong 894 997 participants aged 18 years or older (503 688 women [51.3%], 679 443 non-Hispanic white [62.6%], 71 730 non-Hispanic black [16.3%], 69 823 Hispanic [11.4%], and 74 001 non-Hispanic other races [9.8%]), 28 907 (weighted prevalence, 4.4%) were currently using e-cigarettes. The age-standardized weighted prevalence of current e-cigarette use varied across US states and territories, from 1.0% in Puerto Rico to 6.2% in Guam. After adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic, and lifestyle factors, including conventional cigarette use, the odds ratios of current e-cigarette use were 0.90 (95% CI, 0.83-0.98) for state laws prohibiting e-cigarette use in indoor areas of private workplaces, restaurants, and bars; 0.90 (95% CI, 0.85-0.95) for state laws requiring retailers to purchase a license to sell e-cigarettes; 1.04 (95% CI, 0.99-1.09) for state laws prohibiting self-service displays of e-cigarettes; 0.86 (95% CI, 0.74-0.99) for state laws prohibiting sales of tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, to persons younger than 21 years; and 0.89 (95% CI, 0.83-0.96) for state laws applying taxes to e-cigarettes.Conclusions and relevanceThese findings suggest that several state regulations regarding e-cigarettes may be associated with reduced e-cigarette use among US adults.
| S-EPMC7042861 | biostudies-literature
Project description:IntroductionAvailable in hundreds of device designs and thousands of flavors, electronic cigarette (ECIG) may have differing toxicant emission characteristics. This study assesses nicotine and carbonyl yields in the most popular brands in the U.S. market. These products included disposable, prefilled cartridge, and tank-based ECIGs.MethodsTwenty-seven ECIG products of 10 brands were procured and their power outputs were measured. The e-liquids were characterized for pH, nicotine concentration, propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin (PG/VG) ratio, and water content. Aerosols were generated using a puffing machine and nicotine and carbonyls were, respectively, quantified using gas chromatograph and high-performance liquid chromatography. A multiregression model was used to interpret the data.ResultsNicotine yields varied from 0.27 to 2.91 mg/15 puffs, a range corresponding to the nicotine yield of less than 1 to more than 3 combustible cigarettes. Nicotine yield was highly correlated with ECIG type and brand, liquid nicotine concentration, and PG/VG ratio, and to a lower significance with electrical power, but not with pH and water content. Carbonyls, including the carcinogen formaldehyde, were detected in all ECIG aerosols, with total carbonyl concentrations ranging from 3.72 to 48.85 µg/15 puffs. Unlike nicotine, carbonyl concentrations were mainly correlated with power.ConclusionIn 15 puffs, some ECIG devices emit nicotine quantities that exceed those of tobacco cigarettes. Nicotine emissions vary widely across products but carbonyl emissions showed little variations. In spite of that ECIG users are exposed to toxicologically significant levels of carbonyl compounds, especially formaldehyde. Regression analysis showed the importance of design and e-liquid characteristics as determinants of nicotine and carbonyl emissions.ImplicationsPeriodic surveying of characteristics of ECIG products available in the marketplace is valuable for understanding population-wide changes in ECIG use patterns over time.
| S-EPMC5896517 | biostudies-literature
Project description:INTRODUCTION:Research shows that adolescents who are overweight or obese may be at greater risk of cigarette smoking, and that this relationship may vary by gender. However, this relationship is understudied for electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). Given the high rate of adolescent obesity and the rise in e-cigarette use in adolescents, this relationship should be investigated. METHODS:Data are from the third wave (collected October 2015-January 2016) of the Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance system. Students were in the seventh, ninth, and 11th grades (n=2,733) from five counties surrounding four major Texas metropolitan areas (Houston, Austin, San Antonio, Dallas). Weighted logistic regression was used to determine if weight status (healthy weight, overweight, or obese) was correlated with ever and past 30-day cigarette or e-cigarette use, controlling for sociodemographics. Models were stratified by gender. Data analyses were conducted in March 2017. RESULTS:Compared with healthy-weight boys, obese boys had higher odds of past 30-day e-cigarette use (AOR=3.45, 95% CI=1.34, 8.33) and cigarette smoking (AOR=4.52, 95% CI=1.32, 15.51). There was no significant relationship between weight status and cigarette or e-cigarette use in girls. CONCLUSIONS:This study supports that there is a positive relationship between weight status and past 30-day cigarette and e-cigarette use for boys, but that there is no association for girls.
| S-EPMC5736419 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundE-liquid flavour restrictions may discourage electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) uptake among youth. However, possible unintended consequences may include reduced appeal and effectiveness of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. Non-tobacco flavours appear to be important for smoking cessation, but how and why are currently unclear.MethodsWe conducted an experimental study in a UK sample of adult daily smokers using an independent groups design (N=84). Participants were randomised to use an e-cigarette with nicotine-containing fruit/sweet-flavoured e-liquid (blackcurrant, strawberry, vanilla, caramel) or unflavoured e-liquid for 1 week. The primary outcomes were average, peak and cue-elicited cigarette craving (the latter was assessed using a cue exposure task). The secondary outcomes were smoking lapse occurrence, enjoyment of the e-cigarette, ease of transitioning from smoking to using an e-cigarette, intentions to continue using an e-cigarette, intentions and motivation to quit smoking, return to smoking, and continuation of e-cigarette use.ResultsE-liquid flavouring did not appear to have an effect on average cigarette craving (b 0.18, 95% CI -0.44 to 0.79, p=0.57), peak cigarette craving (b -0.12, 95% CI -0.59 to 0.35, p=0.62) or cue-elicited cigarette craving (b -0.21, 95% CI -3.86 to 3.43, p=0.91). We did not find evidence of a difference in secondary outcomes.ConclusionsWe did not find evidence to suggest that nicotine-containing fruit/sweet-flavoured and unflavoured e-liquids have different effects on cigarette cravings after 1 week of use. Further research is needed to establish if differences emerge over longer periods of exposure and extend to smoking cessation outcomes.
| S-EPMC7614335 | biostudies-literature
Project description:Importance:Banning electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) sales to minors has been a key policy to protect children from e-cigarettes in the United States and Canada, but to date little is known about the outcome of such a ban. Objectives:To investigate the association of banning e-cigarette sales to minors in Canada with e-cigarette use among youths and the mechanisms through which a ban might be associated with their e-cigarette use. Design, Setting, and Participants:This quasi-experimental difference-in-differences and triple-differences study used data from the nationally representative Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (2013-2017) and Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey (2014-2017). Study samples consisted of respondents aged 15 to 18 years (in difference-in-differences analysis; n?=?8212) and aged 15 to 25 years (in triple-differences analysis; n?=?20?934) in the Canadian Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey, and students in grades 6 to 12 (in difference-in-differences analysis; n?=?78?650) in the Canadian Student Tobacco, Alcohol and Drugs Survey. Interventions:Canada's provincial bans on e-cigarette sales to youths younger than 18 or 19 years (depending on province) implemented between 2015 and 2017. Main Outcomes and Measures:The primary outcome was past 30-day e-cigarette use among youths. Secondary outcomes were difficulty of access to e-cigarettes, perception of e-cigarette harm, and use of social sources of e-cigarettes. Results:After the bans, e-cigarette use among youths increased in all provinces, but the increase was 3.1 percentage points (95% CI, 0.2-6.0; P?=?.04), or 79%, lower in provinces with a ban than in provinces without a ban. Youths in provinces with a ban were 2.6 percentage points (95% CI, 1.5-3.7; P?=?.001), or 18%, less likely to believe that regular e-cigarette use poses no harm and 6.2 percentage points (95% CI, 1.1-11.4; P?=?.02), or 16%, more likely to self-report greater difficulty in obtaining e-cigarettes. Among youths who reported using e-cigarettes, the likelihood of obtaining e-cigarettes from social sources was 17.3 percentage points (95% CI, 5.2 -29.4; P?=?.01), or 29%, higher in provinces with a ban. These findings were robust to several sensitivity analyses. Conclusions and Relevance:Banning e-cigarette sales to minors was associated with a significant reduction in the rate of increase in e-cigarette use by youths, but this policy alone could not reverse the overall increase in e-cigarette use. The findings from this study suggest that this policy should be supplemented with other measures that can reduce young people's desire to obtain e-cigarettes through social sources, such as a ban on e-cigarettes with flavors that appeal to youths and children.
| S-EPMC7017978 | biostudies-literature