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Sensory attributes of e-cigarette flavours and nicotine as mediators of interproduct differences in appeal among young adults.

ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE:To estimate the extent to which specific sensory attributes, for example, smoothness, mediate differences in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) appeal between products in non-tobacco versus tobacco flavours and varying nicotine content in young adults. METHOD:E-cigarette users (n=100; aged 18-34 years) administered standardised two-puff e-cigarette doses of different products varying in a flavour (fruit, menthol, tobacco) × nicotine (nicotine-containing (6?mg/mL freebase), nicotine-free) within-subject design. Participants rated sensory attributes (sweetness, bitterness, smoothness and harshness) and appeal on 100-unit visual analogue scales after administering each product. Sensory ratings were tested as simultaneous mediators of flavour, nicotine and flavour × nicotine effects on appeal. RESULTS:Appeal preferences for fruit versus tobacco flavours were mediated by sweetness-enhancing (?indirect=0.092), smoothness-enhancing (?indirect=0.045) and bitterness-reducing (?indirect=0.072) effects of fruit flavours. Appeal preferences for menthol versus tobacco flavours were mediated by menthol's smoothness-enhancing (?indirect=0.039) and bitterness-reducing (?indirect=0.034) effects. Lower appeal of nicotine-containing versus nicotine-free products was mediated by nicotine's sweetness-reducing (?indirect=-0.036), smoothness-reducing (?indirect=-0.156) and bitterness-increasing (?indirect=0.045) effects. Flavour × nicotine interaction effects on appeal were explained by menthol-related suppression of nicotine's bitterness-enhancing and sweetness-reducing mediation pathways and fruit-related suppression of nicotine's bitterness-enhancing mediation pathway. Harshness did not mediate appeal after adjusting for other sensory attributes. CONCLUSION:Bitterness and smoothness may be cross-cutting mediators of interproduct variation in the effects of types of non-tobacco flavours and nicotine on e-cigarette appeal in young adults. Sweetness may also mediate appeal-enhancing effects of fruit and appeal-reducing effects of nicotine. Non-tobacco flavours may suppress appeal-reducing effects of nicotine in e-cigarettes through attenuation of nicotine's aversive taste attributes.

SUBMITTER: Leventhal A

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7473634 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Sensory attributes of e-cigarette flavours and nicotine as mediators of interproduct differences in appeal among young adults.

Leventhal Adam A Cho Junhan J Barrington-Trimis Jessica J Pang Raina R Schiff Sara S Kirkpatrick Matthew M

Tobacco control 20191218 6

<h4>Objective</h4>To estimate the extent to which specific sensory attributes, for example, smoothness, mediate differences in electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) appeal between products in non-tobacco versus tobacco flavours and varying nicotine content in young adults.<h4>Method</h4>E-cigarette users (n=100; aged 18-34 years) administered standardised two-puff e-cigarette doses of different products varying in a flavour (fruit, menthol, tobacco) × nicotine (nicotine-containing (6 mg/mL freebase ...[more]

PMID: 31852818

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Project description:Scientists and regulators need parsimonious methods of characterizing flavored e-cigarettes which may vary widely in both chemical flavoring constituents and marketing descriptors. This laboratory experiment characterized user-reported appeal and experience of five cross-cutting sensory attributes (sweetness, bitterness, smoothness, harshness, coolness) of 10 common e-cigarette flavors. In a within-subject double-blind single-visit protocol, current nicotine/tobacco product users (N = 119) self-administered a single puff of each e-liquid flavor via a pod-style device and rated its appeal and sensory attributes on 0-100 scales. Custom-manufactured e-liquids, nicotine concentration: M (SD) = 23.4 (0.9) mg/mL, representative of commonly marketed fruit (green apple, strawberry), dessert (dark chocolate, vanilla), mint (peppermint, spearmint), nonmint cooling (menthol, koolada), and tobacco (subtle tobacco, full-flavored tobacco) flavor descriptors were used and their constituents were independently analyzed. Results largely demonstrated that a flavor's sensory attributes concorded with its marketed flavor descriptor. Among the 10 flavors, vanilla was rated sweetest (B[difference vs. mean of 9 other flavors] = 14.44, 95% CI [10.84, 18.03]), full-flavored tobacco was most bitter, B = 8.34, 95% CI [4.73, 11.96], subtle tobacco was most harsh, B = 5.69, 95% CI [1.70, 9.68], and peppermint scored highest in both smoothness, B = 6.98, 95% CI [3.13, 10.82], and coolness, B = 29.25, 95% CI [25.50, 33.01]. Flavors with higher appeal ratings tended to be sweeter, smoother, cooler, and less bitter and harsh. Chemical analysis found numerous flavoring constituents among study products without any clear differentiation of chemicals being present in particular flavor categories, which underscores the utility of using sensory ratings to characterize different-flavored e-cigarettes over and above constituent analyses. Characterizing e-cigarette flavors by subjective sensory attributes may be useful in future research and regulatory activities. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Project description:BackgroundIdentifying e-cigarette product characteristics that moderate the effects of non-tobacco flavors and nicotine on user appeal can inform regulations issued in tandem with e-cigarette nicotine and flavor policies aimed to protect young adult health. An e-cigarette device's electrical power affects the amount of solution aerosolized per puff, leading to more concentrated or diluted aerosol, which may alter product appeal. This laboratory experiment tested whether e-cigarette device power moderated the independent and interactive effects of non-tobacco flavors and nicotine on appeal in young adults.MethodIn a within-subject design single-visit protocol, young adult e-cigarette users (N = 100) administered standardized doses of e-cigarette solutions varying in flavor (fruit, menthol, tobacco) and nicotine (nicotine-containing [6 mg/mL], nicotine-free). Solutions were administered via a variable-voltage tank-style device at low (7.3 W[3.3 V@1.5 Ω resistance]) and high (12.3 W[4.3 V@1.5 Ω resistance]) power settings. Participants rated each dose's appeal (0-100 scale).ResultsThe high (vs. low) power setting attenuated the appeal-enhancing effects of menthol (vs. tobacco) flavors (Menthol × Power, estimate = -5.44, P = .03). Power did not moderate the appeal-enhancing effects of fruit flavors. High (vs. low) power amplified the appeal-reducing effects of nicotine-containing (vs. nicotine-free) solutions (Nicotine × Power, estimate = 6.69, P < .001) and augmented the extent to which fruit and menthol flavors suppressed nicotine's appeal-reducing effects (Flavor × Nicotine × Power, estimates = 9.40-14.85, Ps≤0.03).ConclusionE-cigarette device power appears to moderate flavor- and nicotine-induced changes in product appeal in nuanced ways, including by augmenting the ability of non-tobacco flavors to mask nicotine's appeal-reducing effects. Regulatory restrictions on high-powered e-cigarette devices warrant consideration in efforts to protect young adult health.

Project description:BackgroundE-cigarette regulations targeting products that disproportionately appeal to never-smokers may optimize population health. This laboratory study of young adults tested whether differences in appeal between e-cigarettes with non-tobacco-flavored (vs. tobacco-flavored) and nicotine-containing (vs. nicotine-free) solutions varied by smoking history.MethodsCurrent (N = 53), former (N = 25), and never (N = 22) cigarette smokers who vape (Mean[SD] age = 25.4[4.4] years) administered standardized e-cigarette doses varied by a Flavor (fruit, menthol, tobacco) × Nicotine (nicotine-containing [6 mg/mL], nicotine-free) within-subject double-blind design. Participants rated each dose's appeal (0-100 scale). Covariate-adjusted interactions tested whether smoking history moderated flavor and nicotine effects.ResultsAppeal was higher for fruit and menthol than tobacco flavors in each group. The fruit vs. tobacco appeal difference was greater in never smokers (fruit-tobacco estimate = 19.6) than current smokers (estimate = 12.1) but not former smokers (estimate = 12.6). The menthol vs. tobacco difference was greater in never smokers (menthol-tobacco estimate = 17.3) than former (estimate = 6.0) and current (estimate = 7.2) smokers. Appeal was lower for nicotine-containing than nicotine-free solutions in each group; this difference was greater in never smokers (nicotine-nicotine-free estimate = -17.3) than former (estimate = -7.0) and current (estimate = -10.6) smokers. Compared to tobacco flavors, nicotine's appeal-reducing effects were suppressed by fruit and menthol flavors in never smokers.ConclusionsHigher appeal of non-tobacco-flavored (vs. tobacco-flavored) and lower appeal of nicotine-containing (vs. nicotine-free) e-cigarettes may be widespread in young adults but disproportionately amplified in never smokers. Non-tobacco flavors may suppress nicotine's appeal-lowering qualities in never smokers. The impact of regulating non-tobacco flavors in e-cigarettes may vary by smoking history.

Project description:ImportanceConcerns have been raised about the abuse liability of modern e-cigarettes that use acidic additives to form nicotine salts, making the inhalation of nicotine smoother than freebase nicotine.ObjectiveTo examine the effects of nicotine form and concentration and e-liquid flavor on subjective effects ratings, vaping behavior, and nicotine uptake among young adults who use e-cigarettes.Design, setting, and participantsIn this single-blind, within-participant, crossover randomized clinical trial, a convenience sample of young adults aged 21 to 25 years who currently used e-cigarettes was recruited from December 2021 to August 2023, for in-person research laboratory visits in Columbus, Ohio.InterventionsParticipants completed up to 9 vaping sessions, starting with their usual e-cigarette brand in the first session followed by 1 of 8 laboratory-prepared e-liquids in a randomly assigned order in each subsequent session. Prepared e-liquids varied by nicotine form (salt-based vs freebase), nicotine concentration (5% vs 1% weight per weight), and flavor (menthol vs tobacco). Each session included a 5-minute, 10-puff standardized vaping period followed by 30 minutes of ad libitum vaping.Main outcomes and measuresAt 4 time points (0, 5, 10, and 35 minutes) during each vaping session, plasma samples were collected for assessing nicotine uptake, and self-reports of urges, craving, and withdrawal were collected via questionnaires. Positive subjective effects were self-reported after 35 minutes of vaping using a visual analog scale; urges and cravings were reported using the Questionnaire of Smoking Urges (QSU). Puff topography data were collected throughout each vaping session.ResultsSeventy-two participants (mean [SD] age, 22.4 [1.4] years; 42 [58.3%] female) who sampled at least 1 laboratory-prepared e-liquid composed the analytic sample. Salt-based (vs freebase) nicotine e-liquids increased nicotine intake, with 5% salt-based e-liquids delivering the highest mean plasma levels of nicotine (11.2 ng/mL [95% CI, 9.3-13.2 ng/mL] at 5 minutes; 17.2 ng/mL [95% CI, 14.3-20.1 ng/mL] at 35 minutes) irrespective of flavors. Higher positive subjective effect ratings (eg, for liking) were received by salt-based (42.8; 95% CI, 39.4-46.1) vs freebase (32.0; 95% CI, 28.6-35.3) nicotine, 1% (43.4; 95% CI, 40.2-46.6) vs 5% (31.2; 95% CI, 27.7-34.6) nicotine, and menthol-flavored (43.2; 95% CI, 39.7-46.7) vs tobacco-flavored (31.5; 95% CI, 28.4-34.7) e-liquids. Salt-based and 1% but not menthol-flavored nicotine elicited more intense puffing (eg, 25% [95% CI, 12%-40%] more total puffs for nicotine salts vs freebase). All study e-liquids reduced urges and cravings, with 5% vs 1% nicotine being more effective (mean [SE] QSU-Desire score at 35 minutes, 15.4 [0.5] vs 16.7 [0.5]).Conclusions and relevanceIn this crossover randomized clinical trial among young adult e-cigarette users, salt-based (vs freebase) nicotine e-liquids increased nicotine intake and yielded more positive subjective effects ratings and intense puffing behaviors, suggesting higher abuse potential. Restricting the level of acidic additives and menthol flavoring may reduce the addictiveness of e-cigarettes.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05458895.

Project description:Despite the longstanding use and popularity of menthol as a flavorant in tobacco products, its sensory interactions with inhaled nicotine have never been measured independently of the other irritants in tobacco smoke. We therefore measured the perception of menthol in an E-cigarette with the primary goal of assessing its analgesic effect on the sensory irritation produced by inhaled nicotine.Adult cigarette smokers sampled aerosolized E-liquids containing five different concentrations of nicotine with 0%, 0.5%, or 3.5% l-menthol, as well as two commercial menthol flavors with and without nicotine. For each of the E-liquids participants used a labeled magnitude scale to rate the Overall Sensation intensity, Coolness/Cold, and Irritation/Harshness they experienced, and a Labeled Hedonic Scale to indicate how much they liked/disliked the overall flavor.The main findings were that (1) perceived Irritation/Harshness was unaffected by a low (0.5%) menthol concentration, whereas a high menthol concentration (3.5%) led to higher perceived Irritation/Harshness at low nicotine concentrations but to lower Irritation/Harshness at the highest nicotine concentration (24mg/ml); (2) a commercial Menthol-Mint flavor produced similar results; (3) nicotine tended to enhance rather than suppress sensations of Coolness/Cold; and (4) menthol tended to slightly increase liking independently of nicotine concentration.In addition to adding a sensation of coolness, menthol can reduce perceived airway irritation and harshness produced by inhalation when nicotine concentration is high, and contributes to the sensory impact of E-liquids when nicotine concentration is low.The evidence presented here indicates that menthol can potentially improve the appeal of E-cigarettes not only via its coolness and minty flavor, but also by reducing the harshness from high concentrations of nicotine. As the first direct demonstration of an analgesic effect of menthol on inhaled nicotine in humans, these data also have implications for the role of menthol flavors in other inhaled tobacco products.

Project description:BACKGROUND:While marketing for electronic cigarette refill liquids (e-liquids) is widespread on Instagram, little is known about the post elements that create appeal among young adult Instagram users. Further information is needed to help shape regulatory strategies appropriate for social media. OBJECTIVE:This study examined young adult Instagram user perceptions of actual e-liquid marketing posts and US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-mandated nicotine addiction warning statements on Instagram. METHODS:A series of 12 focus groups (n=69) were held with non-tobacco users, vapers, smokers, and dual users in Wisconsin between September and December 2018. Participants discussed the elements of posts that they found appealing or unappealing, in addition to completing a survey about each post and e-liquid. Focus group transcripts were analyzed by smoking status using a framework analysis approach. RESULTS:Although willingness to try e-liquids was highest among nicotine users, focus group discussions indicated that Instagram posts promoting e-liquids held appeal for individuals across smoking statuses. The primary elements that created appeal were the perceived trustworthiness of the Instagram account, attractive design and flavor visuals, and promotion of flavors and nicotine levels that met personal preferences. Post appeal was reduced by references to vaping subcultures, indicators that the post creator did not take nicotine addiction seriously, and FDA-mandated nicotine warning statements. Non-tobacco users were particularly drawn to posts featuring nicotine-free e-liquids with attractive visual designs and flavors known from foods. CONCLUSIONS:Young adults consider a broad range of elements in assessing the appeal of e-liquid marketing on Instagram, with minor but notable distinctions by smoking status. Non-tobacco users are uniquely drawn to nicotine-free e-liquids and are more deterred by the FDA's mandated nicotine addiction warning statements than those from other smoking statuses. This suggests that it may be possible to tailor policy interventions in a manner that helps to reduce novel uptake of vaping without significantly diminishing its potential harm-reduction benefits.

Project description:ImportanceThe prevalence of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use, including e-cigarettes, among US young adults (YAs) has raised questions about how these products may affect future tobacco and nicotine use among YAs. Given this prevalence and that young adulthood is a critical period for the establishment of tobacco and nicotine use, it is important to consider the association between ENDS use and cigarette smoking specifically in this age group.ObjectiveTo examine whether ENDS use frequency or intensity is associated with changes in cigarette smoking among US YA ever smokers during 1 year.Design, setting, and participantsThis cohort study used 3 waves of data (2013-2014, 2014-2015, and 2015-2016) from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study, an ongoing longitudinal cohort study of adults and youth. Unweighted 1:6 propensity score matching was used to match participants on wave 1 risk factors for ENDS use at wave 2. The changes in smoking between wave 2 and wave 3 were assessed using the matched sample. In total, 1096 ENDS-naive, ever cigarette-smoking YAs (18-24 years of age) at wave 1 who participated in wave 2 and wave 3 and who had complete data in the PATH Study were included in the analyses, which were conducted from August 2018 to October 2019.ExposuresNever ENDS use (n = 987), any previous 30-day ENDS use (n = 109), 1 to 5 days of ENDS use in the previous 30 days (n = 75), and 6 or more days ENDS use in the previous 30 days at wave 2 (n = 34).Main outcomes and measuresThe analytic sample was selected using multiple variables based on peer-reviewed literature supporting associations with ENDS use. The main outcomes-changes in cigarette smoking behavior between wave 2 and wave 3-were defined using 2 measures: (1) change in smoking frequency, defined as the number of smoking days in the previous 30 days at wave 3 vs wave 2, and (2) change in smoking intensity, defined as the number smoking days in the previous 30 days multiplied by the mean number of cigarettes consumed on smoking days at wave 3 vs wave 2.ResultsThe present cohort analyses included 1096 YA ever smokers who were ENDS naive at wave 1. The majority of the sample were women (609 [55.6%]) and White individuals (698 [63.7%]), and the mean (SD) age was 21.4 (1.9) years. In wave 1, 161 YAs (14.7%) were daily smokers in the previous 30 days. After propensity score matching, no statistically significant associations were observed between any definition of wave 2 ENDS use and changes in either the frequency or intensity of smoking at wave 3.Conclusions and relevanceIn this cohort study of US YA ever smokers, ENDS use was not associated with either decreased or increased cigarette smoking during a 1-year period. However, it is possible that the rapidly evolving marketplace of vaping products may lead to different trajectories of YA cigarette and ENDS use in the future.

Dataset Information

Sensory attributes of e-cigarette flavours and nicotine as mediators of interproduct differences in appeal among young adults.

Publications

Sensory attributes of e-cigarette flavours and nicotine as mediators of interproduct differences in appeal among young adults.

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