Acute electronic cigarette use: nicotine delivery and subjective effects in regular users

Area of Science:

• Tobacco Control Research
• Nicotine Pharmacokinetics
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are increasingly popular globally.
• Users cite smoking cessation, relapse prevention, and harm reduction as primary motivations.
• Limited research exists on measurable nicotine delivery from e-cigarettes into the bloodstream.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of using an 18-mg/ml nicotine first-generation e-cigarette on blood nicotine levels.
• To assess changes in tobacco withdrawal symptoms and urge to smoke among experienced users.
• To evaluate subjective effects and adverse events associated with e-cigarette use.

Main Methods:

• Fourteen experienced e-cigarette users abstained from nicotine for 12 hours.
• Participants completed a 2.5-hour session including baseline, 10 puffs, and 60 minutes of ad libitum use.
• Blood samples and questionnaires on withdrawal, urge, and subjective effects were collected at multiple time points.

Main Results:

• Plasma nicotine concentrations significantly increased from baseline (0.74 ng/ml) to a maximum of 13.91 ng/ml after ad libitum use.
• Significant reductions in tobacco-related withdrawal symptoms and urge to smoke were observed.
• Positive subjective effects were strongly endorsed with minimal adverse effects reported.

Conclusions:

• Acute use of this e-cigarette model reliably delivers nicotine to the blood in regular users.
• E-cigarette use effectively reduced withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
• Further research should explore nicotine delivery dynamics related to inhalation technique and smoking cessation outcomes.