Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 15, 2025
Comparing the Effects of Electronic Cigarette Vapor and Cigarette Smoke in a Novel In Vivo Exposure System
Published on: May 24, 2017
Dose-response effects of two nicotine salt formulations on electronic cigarette appeal and sensory attributes
Dae-Hee Han1,2, Melissa Wong3,2, Natalia Peraza3
1Department of Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California, USA daeheeha@usc.edu.
Objectives:
Various organic acids are used to create nicotine salt formulations, which may improve the appeal and sensory experience of vaping electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes). This clinical experiment examined the effects of partially and highly protonated forms of two nicotine salt formulations (nicotine lactate and benzoate) versus free-base (no acid additive) on the appeal and sensory attributes of e-cigarettes.
Methods:
Current adult tobacco product users (n=116) participated in an online remote double-blind within-subject randomised experiment involving standardised self-administration of e-cigarette solutions varying in nicotine formulation (free-base, 50% nicotine lactate -1:2 lactic acid to nicotine molar ratio, 100% nicotine lactate - 1:1 ratio, 50% nicotine benzoate and 100% nicotine benzoate). Each formulation had equivalent nicotine concentrations (27.0-33.0 mg/mL) and was administered in four flavours in a pod-style device. After each administration, participants rated appeal (liking, disliking and willingness to use again) and sensory attributes (0-100 scale).
Results:
Compared with free-base nicotine, 50% and 100% nicotine lactate and benzoate yielded higher appeal, smoothness and sweetness and lower harshness and bitterness. Dose-response analyses found 100% vs 50% nicotine salt improved appeal, smoothness, bitterness and harshness for nicotine lactate and sweetness, smoothness and harshness for nicotine benzoate. Solutions with higher pH were associated with worse appeal and sensory attributes across nicotine formulations. Nicotine formulation effects did not differ by tobacco use status and flavours.
Conclusion:
Restricting benzoic acid or lactic acid additives or setting minimal pHs in e-cigarettes merits consideration in regulations designed to reduce vaping among populations deterred from using e-cigarettes with aversive sensory properties.
Trial Registration Number:
This study was registered under ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03742817 under the title 'Effects of e-Cigarettes on Perceptions and Behavior'.
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