Assessing electronic cigarette effects and regulatory impact: Challenges with user self-reported device power

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Tobacco Control
• Consumer Product Safety

Background:

• Electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) deliver nicotine via aerosolized liquids, with emissions influenced by user behavior, liquid concentration, and device power.
• Understanding ECIG nicotine emission is crucial for public health and regulatory efforts.
• Accurate self-reported data on nicotine concentration and device power settings from users is essential but unevaluated.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the accuracy of self-reported electronic cigarette (ECIG) liquid nicotine concentration (mg/ml).
• To evaluate users' ability to report device electrical parameters: battery voltage (V) and heater resistance (ohms, Ω).
• To determine the usability of self-reported data for calculating ECIG nicotine emission power (watts, W).

Main Methods:

• Recruited 165 adult ECIG users in Los Angeles, CA.
• Collected self-reported data on liquid nicotine concentration, voltage, and resistance during laboratory visits.
• Analyzed the accuracy and consistency of user-reported data.

Main Results:

• Nearly 90% of users accurately reported nicotine concentration (mean 9.5 mg/ml).
• Over 50% of users could not report voltage (51.5%) or resistance (63.6%).
• Self-reported power levels varied widely, with many exceeding known device capabilities, indicating significant inaccuracies.

Conclusions:

• User self-report is unreliable for obtaining accurate electronic cigarette (ECIG) device power data (voltage and resistance).
• Researchers studying ECIG effects, nicotine emission, and informing policy should employ methods beyond user self-report for device power information.
• Alternative data collection strategies are necessary for accurate assessment of ECIG use and its health implications.