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Milstred AR, Douglas AE, Felicione NJ, Blank MD. Psychometric properties of measures for electronic cigarette dependence among former-smoking electronic cigarette users. Addict Behav 2024; 152:107974. [PMID: 38301587 DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.107974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Revised: 01/10/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Measures designed to assess electronic cigarette (ECIG) dependence are largely adapted from those developed for cigarette smoking, and have been evaluated mainly among dual ECIG-cigarette users. The present study evaluated the psychometric properties of four dependence measures among former-smoking ECIG users. METHODS Respondents (N = 187) were daily ECIG users who had formerly smoked cigarettes regularly. As part of an online survey, they completed four dependence measures: Penn State Electronic Cigarette Dependence Index (PSECDI); E-Cigarette Dependence Scale (EDS-4); Glover Nilsson Behavioral Questionnaire (GNBQ); and Diagnostic and Statistical Manual 5th Edition (DSM-5). RESULTS Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a single factor structure for all four measures, and fit indices were adequate for all models. Most inter-item correlations (mean r's = 0.21 to 0.45) and all item-total correlations (mean r's = 0.53 to 0.80) were significant for all four measures. Internal consistency was highest for the GNBQ (α = 0.86) followed by the EDS-4 (α = 0.81), PSECDI (α = 0.76), and DSM-5 (α = 0.75). Age of ECIG initiation was correlated negatively with scores on the EDS-4 and DSM-5, while number of ECIG quit attempts was correlated positively with scores on all measures except the GNBQ. Convergent validity was highest for comparisons between the EDS-4 and PSECDI (r = 0.75) though all comparisons were significant (p's < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS All four measures demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity in this sample of former-smoking ECIG users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea R Milstred
- Department of Psychology, Eberly College of Arts & Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26508, USA.
| | - Ashley E Douglas
- Department of Psychology, Eberly College of Arts & Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26508, USA
| | - Nicholas J Felicione
- Department of Community Health and Health Behavior, University at Buffalo, Buffalo, NY 14261, USA
| | - Melissa D Blank
- Department of Psychology, Eberly College of Arts & Sciences, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26508, USA; WV Prevention Research Center, School of Public Health, Morgantown, WV
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Borowiecki M, Kim Y, Emery S. A Patchy Prohibition: Product and Flavor Substitution After the Food and Drug Administration's Prioritized Enforcement Policy on Flavored E-cigarettes. Nicotine Tob Res 2024; 26:527-535. [PMID: 37948576 PMCID: PMC11033575 DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntad212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION E-cigarettes have rapidly grown in use among U.S. adolescents; in response, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) engaged in an "enforcement policy on banned e-cigarette flavors" ("enforcement action") for pod-based e-cigarettes in January 2020, which accounted for most U.S. e-cigarette sales. No literature has yet examined long-term changes in e-cigarette sales patterns changed in relation to the FDA enforcement action. AIMS AND METHODS We analyzed U.S. e-cigarette sales using Nielsen retail scanner data between March 2017 and December 2021, describing e-cigarette sales trends overall, by device type, and by flavor category. We also performed joinpoint regression analysis on the sales trends to detect significant changes in the rate of change of sales over time. RESULTS The FDA enforcement action was associated with a sharp initial decrease in prefilled pod dollar sales, followed by a steady increase from April 2020 through the end of 2021, growing beyond the previous maximum in August 2019. We also observed a dramatic change in the composition of flavors sold: A large decline in mint-flavored pod sales was offset by a similar increase in menthol-flavored sales. Simultaneously, disposable product sales increased nearly ten-fold from July 2019 to July 2020 before stabilizing, dominated by fruit-flavored products. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest rapid product substitution without a long-term decline in e-cigarette sales in association with the enforcement action, along with a growing dominance of youth-friendly flavors, contrasting against FDA policy goals. Our study revealed the weakness of the "patchy" enforcement action, raising concern about its unintended consequences as consumption simply shifted to other e-cigarette products. IMPLICATIONS This is the first detailed longitudinal study on e-cigarette sales trends in the United States following the FDA flavor enforcement action, with novel findings on flavor trends and their relation to policy events. We report sales overall, by product type, and by flavor category, and highlight several important trends following the action, such as the rise and persistence of disposable e-cigarettes increasingly and overwhelmingly dominated by youth-friendly flavors, and likely substitution of prefilled e-cigarette flavors without any long-term decline in sales. Our results highlight the weaknesses of "patchy" regulation and suggest the need for a more comprehensive approach to flavor regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateusz Borowiecki
- Department of Public Health, NORC At The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Yoonsang Kim
- Department of Public Health, NORC At The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Sherry Emery
- Department of Public Health, NORC At The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, USA
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Nian Q, Cohen JE, Sinamo J, Crespi E, Zaman R, Hardesty JJ. Heterogeneity in sociodemographic characteristics of people who use different ENDS devices. Prev Med Rep 2024; 37:102561. [PMID: 38192298 PMCID: PMC10772807 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102561] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024] Open
Abstract
Background The electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) market is heterogeneous with a wide variety of devices and liquids available to consumers. People with distinct sociodemographic characteristics may have different ENDS device and liquid preferences. Methods 1290 U.S. adults (21 + ) using ENDS 5 + days/week completed the Wave 5 (February-April 2023) VAPER study survey and submitted photos of their most used ENDS device and liquid. Latent class analysis (LCA) was performed based on sociodemographic characteristics and cigarette smoking status to identify groups among respondents. We examined the association between identified groups and the device (disposable device/disposable pod/refillable pod/tank, power/airflow/coil modifiability)/liquid (nicotine salt/freebase) groupings found by exploratory factor analysis. Results Among our sample, there were three groups of adults frequently using ENDS: (1) group of women who are older, heterosexual, and have smoked cigarettes (62 % of the sample); (2) group of men who are higher-income and heterosexual (23 % of the sample); and (3) group of women who are younger and LGBTQ+ (16 % of the sample). The third group was more likely to use non-adjustable disposable devices with a nicotine salt liquid and less likely to use adjustable tanks with a freebase liquid than the other two groups (p < 0.001). Conclusions We found three distinct groups of adults frequently using ENDS. The group of younger LGBTQ + women was different from the other two groups in use of device and liquid characteristics. Our findings can enhance understanding of people using ENDS and inform the expected impacts of ENDS regulatory efforts to protect public health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Joanna E. Cohen
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2213 McElderry St, 4 Floor, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Joshua Sinamo
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2213 McElderry St, 4 Floor, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Elizabeth Crespi
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2213 McElderry St, 4 Floor, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Raniyan Zaman
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2213 McElderry St, 4 Floor, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
| | - Jeffrey J. Hardesty
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 2213 McElderry St, 4 Floor, Baltimore, MD, USA 21205
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Nian Q, Hardesty JJ, Crespi E, Sinamo JK, Kennedy RD, Welding K, Cohen JE. Transitions in device and liquid characteristic groupings among US adults frequently using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) over three timepoints, 2020-2021. Tob Induc Dis 2023; 21:134. [PMID: 37842545 PMCID: PMC10571097 DOI: 10.18332/tid/171354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/17/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) and liquid characteristics affect nicotine and toxicant exposure and use behaviors. Little is known about how adults who frequently use ENDS transition between ENDS device/liquid groupings. METHODS A total of 379 US adults (≥21 years) using ENDS frequently (≥5 days/week) self-reported and uploaded photos of their most used ENDS device and liquid in three waves of online surveys (May 2020 - November 2021). Device/liquid grouping was defined by device (i.e. disposable/refillable tank/refillable pod or cartridge/disposable pod or cartridge, adjustable/no adjustable settings) and liquid (i.e. salt/freebase) characteristics. Participants using the same grouping across waves were considered stable users. RESULTS The most prevalent wave (W) 1 grouping was tank (freebase, adjustable settings; 36.8%). From W1 to W3, the number of disposable device (salt, no adjustable settings) users increased 156.4% and the number of disposable pod/cartridge (salt, no adjustable settings) users decreased 15.2%. In W2 and W3, compared to stable users, participants using tank (freebase, adjustable settings) in W1 and another grouping in W2 and/or W3 reported significantly higher nicotine concentrations (mg/mL) (W2: 15.1 vs 5.5, p<0.001; W3: 22.9 vs 5.6, p<0.001) and lower device power (watt) (W2: 46.8 vs 58.7, p=0.02; W3: 34.0 vs 57.2, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Over a 1.5-year period, a rapid growth in disposable device (salt, no adjustable settings) use and a decrease in disposable pod/cartridge (salt, no adjustable settings) use were observed. Participants who transitioned from tank (freebase, adjustable settings) to other groupings were more likely to increase liquid nicotine concentration and reduce device power compared to stable users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qinghua Nian
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Jeffrey J. Hardesty
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Elizabeth Crespi
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Joshua K. Sinamo
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Ryan D. Kennedy
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Kevin Welding
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
| | - Joanna E. Cohen
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, United States
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Rose JJ, Krishnan-Sarin S, Exil VJ, Hamburg NM, Fetterman JL, Ichinose F, Perez-Pinzon MA, Rezk-Hanna M, Williamson E. Cardiopulmonary Impact of Electronic Cigarettes and Vaping Products: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation 2023; 148:703-728. [PMID: 37458106 DOI: 10.1161/cir.0000000000001160] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Vaping and electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use have grown exponentially in the past decade, particularly among youth and young adults. Cigarette smoking is a risk factor for both cardiovascular and pulmonary disease. Because of their more limited ingredients and the absence of combustion, e-cigarettes and vaping products are often touted as safer alternative and potential tobacco-cessation products. The outbreak of e-cigarette or vaping product use-associated lung injury in the United States in 2019, which led to >2800 hospitalizations, highlighted the risks of e-cigarettes and vaping products. Currently, all e-cigarettes are regulated as tobacco products and thus do not undergo the premarket animal and human safety studies required of a drug product or medical device. Because youth prevalence of e-cigarette and vaping product use was as high as 27.5% in high school students in 2019 in the United States, it is critical to assess the short-term and long-term health effects of these products, as well as the development of interventional and public health efforts to reduce youth use. The objectives of this scientific statement are (1) to describe and discuss e-cigarettes and vaping products use patterns among youth and adults; (2) to identify harmful and potentially harmful constituents in vaping aerosols; (3) to critically assess the molecular, animal, and clinical evidence on the acute and chronic cardiovascular and pulmonary risks of e-cigarette and vaping products use; (4) to describe the current evidence of e-cigarettes and vaping products as potential tobacco-cessation products; and (5) to summarize current public health and regulatory efforts of e-cigarettes and vaping products. It is timely, therefore, to review the short-term and especially the long-term implications of e-cigarettes and vaping products on cardiopulmonary health. Early molecular and clinical evidence suggests various acute physiological effects from electronic nicotine delivery systems, particularly those containing nicotine. Additional clinical and animal-exposure model research is critically needed as the use of these products continues to grow.
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Diaz MC, Silver NA, Bertrand A, Schillo BA. Bigger, stronger and cheaper: growth in e-cigarette market driven by disposable devices with more e-liquid, higher nicotine concentration and declining prices. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-058033. [PMID: 37536928 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Given the evolving changes in the disposable e-cigarette market, we explore patterns of sales in the USA by e-liquid volume capacity, nicotine strength and real sales-weighted average prices by both e-cigarette unit and volume of e-liquid. METHODOLOGY We used NielsenIQ retail scanner data from January 2017 to September 2022 to examine changes over time for average product volume capacity in millilitres, nicotine strength (%) and both sales-weighted average price per disposable unit and per millilitre of e-liquid for each 4-week period. RESULTS Among disposable e-cigarettes sold between January 2017 and September 2022, average volume capacity increased 518% from 1.1 mL to 5.7 mL and average nicotine strength increased 294% from 1.7% to 5%. Sales-weighted average price per disposable unit and millilitres of e-liquid both remained relatively constant until January 2020. From January 2020 through September 2022, average unit prices increased 165.7% from US$8.49 to US$14.07, while the average price of 1 mL of e-liquid decreased 69.2% from US$7.96 to US$2.45. CONCLUSIONS The current regulatory regime around e-cigarettes has resulted in disposable e-cigarette manufacturers providing consumers with bigger, cheaper disposable e-cigarettes that come in increasingly higher nicotine strengths. Tobacco policy recommendations such as restricting e-liquid capacity and minimum price laws as well as regulations on product characteristics that affect nicotine emissions and delivery such as nicotine strength, nicotine output, device power, and puff duration should be considered in regulating the e-cigarette market.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan C Diaz
- Schroeder Institute, Truth Initiative, Washington, DC, USA
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Cohen JE. Broad range of research on e-cigarettes. Tob Control 2023; 32:e137-e138. [PMID: 37468153 PMCID: PMC10423542 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-058209] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Joanna E Cohen
- Institute for Global Tobacco Control, Department of Health, Behavior and Society, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
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Ma S, Qiu Z, Chen J, Shang C. Synthetic nicotine e-liquids sold in US online vape shops. Prev Med Rep 2023; 33:102222. [PMID: 37181243 PMCID: PMC10172710 DOI: 10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Synthetic nicotine (relative to tobacco-derived, or "natural" nicotine) is an emerging feature of e-cigarettes including e-liquids in the online marketplace. This study investigated a total of 11,161 unique nicotine e-liquids sold in online stores in the US during 2021, using keyword matching approach to identify the feature of synthetic nicotine based on product description texts. We showed that in 2021, 2.13% of nicotine-containing e-liquids in our sample were marketed as synthetic nicotine e-liquids. About a quarter of the synthetic nicotine e-liquids that we identified were salt-based; the nicotine strength varied; and those synthetic nicotine e-liquids had a variety of flavor profiles. Synthetic nicotine containing e-cigarettes are likely to remain in the market and manufacturers might market those products as "tobacco-free," to attract consumers who this feature as healthier or less addictive. It is important to monitor synthetic nicotine in the e-cigarette marketplace and assess how this feature influences consumer behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoying Ma
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Zefeng Qiu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Ce Shang
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Division of Medical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH, USA
- Corresponding authors at: The Ohio State University Center for Tobacco Research, 3650 Olentangy River Road, 1st Floor, Suite 110, Columbus OH 43214, USA.
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Kowitt SD, Seidenberg AB, Gottfredson O'Shea NC, Ritchie C, Galper EF, Sutfin EL, Sheeran P, Noar SM. Synthetic nicotine descriptors: awareness and impact on perceptions of e-cigarettes among US youth. Tob Control 2023:tc-2023-057928. [PMID: 37173133 PMCID: PMC10640660 DOI: 10.1136/tc-2023-057928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/26/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are being advertised and sold with synthetic nicotine. Little research has examined youth awareness of synthetic nicotine or the impact of synthetic nicotine descriptors on perceptions of e-cigarettes. METHODS Participants were a sample of 1603 US adolescents (aged 13-17 years) from a probability-based panel. The survey assessed knowledge of nicotine source in e-cigarettes (from 'tobacco plants' or 'other sources besides tobacco plants') and awareness of e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine. Then, in a between-subjects experiment with a 2×3 factorial design, we manipulated descriptors on e-cigarette products: (1) nicotine label (inclusion of the word 'nicotine': present or absent) and (2) source label (inclusion of a source: 'tobacco-free', 'synthetic' or absent). RESULTS Most youth were either unsure (48.1%) or did not think (20.2%) that nicotine in e-cigarettes comes from tobacco plants; similarly, most were unsure (48.2%) or did not think (8.1%) that nicotine in e-cigarettes comes from other sources. There was low-to-moderate awareness of e-cigarettes containing synthetic nicotine (28.7%), with higher awareness among youth who use e-cigarettes (48.0%). While no main effects were observed, there was a significant three-way interaction between e-cigarette status and the experimental manipulations. The 'tobacco-free nicotine' descriptor increased purchase intentions relative to 'synthetic nicotine' (simple slope: 1.20, 95% CI 0.65 to 1.75) and 'nicotine' (simple slope: 1.20, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.73) for youth who use e-cigarettes. CONCLUSIONS Most US youth do not know or have incorrect beliefs about the sources of nicotine in e-cigarettes and describing synthetic nicotine as 'tobacco-free nicotine' increases purchase intentions among youth who use e-cigarettes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah D Kowitt
- Family Medicine, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | | | - Caroline Ritchie
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Emily F Galper
- Hussman School of Journalism and Media, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erin L Sutfin
- Department of Social Sciences and Health Policy, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA
| | - Paschal Sheeran
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | - Seth M Noar
- Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
- Hussman School of Journalism and Media, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
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Zhang Q, Jeon J, Goldsmith T, Black M, Greenwald R, Wright C. Characterization of an Electronic Nicotine Delivery System (ENDS) Aerosol Generation Platform to Determine Exposure Risks. TOXICS 2023; 11:99. [PMID: 36850974 PMCID: PMC9967066 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11020099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2022] [Revised: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Evaluating vaping parameters that influence electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) emission profiles and potentially hazardous exposure levels is essential to protecting human health. We developed an automated multi-channel ENDS aerosol generation system (EAGS) for characterizing size-resolved particle emissions across pod- and mod-type devices using real-time monitoring instruments, an exposure chamber, and vaping parameters including different ventilation rates, device type and age, e-liquid formulation, and atomizer setup. Results show the ENDS device type, e-liquid flavoring, and nicotine content can affect particle emissions. In general, pod-type devices have unimodal particle size distributions and higher number emissions, while mod-type devices have bimodal size distributions and higher mass emissions. For pod-type devices, later puff fractions emit lower aerosols, which is potentially associated with the change of coil resistance and power during ageing. For a mod-type device, an atomizer with a lower resistance coil and higher power generates larger particle emissions than an atomizer with a greater resistance coil and lower power. The unventilated scenario produces higher particle emission factors, except for particle mass emission from pod-type devices. The data provided herein indicate the EAGS can produce realistic and reproducible puff profiles of pod- and mod-type ENDS devices and therefore is a suitable platform for characterizing ENDS-associated exposure risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Zhang
- Chemical Insights Research Institute, UL Research Institutes, Marietta, GA 30067, USA
| | - Jennifer Jeon
- Chemical Insights Research Institute, UL Research Institutes, Marietta, GA 30067, USA
| | - Travis Goldsmith
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, West Virginia University/IEStechno, Morgantown, WV 26505, USA
| | - Marilyn Black
- Chemical Insights Research Institute, UL Research Institutes, Marietta, GA 30067, USA
| | - Roby Greenwald
- School of Public Health, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA 30303, USA
| | - Christa Wright
- Chemical Insights Research Institute, UL Research Institutes, Marietta, GA 30067, USA
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Ma S, Qiu Z, Yang Q, Bridges JFP, Chen J, Shang C. Expanding the E-Liquid Flavor Wheel: Classification of Emerging E-Liquid Flavors in Online Vape Shops. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192113953. [PMID: 36360834 PMCID: PMC9658901 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 10/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Electronic cigarettes are the most popular tobacco product among U.S. youth, and over 80% of current youth users of e-cigarettes use flavored e-cigarettes, with fruit, mint/menthol, and candy/sweets being the most popular flavors. A number of new e-liquid flavors are currently emerging in the online e-cigarette market. Menthol and other flavored e-cigarettes could incentivize combustible tobacco smokers to transition to e-cigarette use. METHODS From February to May 2021, we scraped data of over 14,000 e-liquid products, including detailed descriptions of their flavors, from five national online vape shops. Building upon the existing e-liquid flavor wheel, we expanded the semantic databases (i.e., key terms) to identify flavors using WordNet-a major database for keyword matching and group discussion. Using the enriched databases, we classified 14,000+ e-liquid products into the following 11 main flavor categories: "fruit", "dessert/candy/sweets", "coffee/tea", "alcohol", "other beverages", "tobacco", "mint/menthol", "nuts", "spices/pepper", "other flavors", and "unspecified flavor". RESULTS We find that the most prominent flavor sold in the five online vape shop in 2021 was fruit flavored products, followed by dessert/candy/other sweets. Online vendors often label a product with several flavor profiles, such as fruit and menthol. CONCLUSIONS Given that online stores market products with multiple flavor profiles and most of their products contain fruit flavor, the FDA may have issued marketing denial orders to some of these products. It is important to further examine how online stores respond to the FDA flavor restrictions (e.g., compliance or non-compliance).
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaoying Ma
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43214, USA
| | - Zefeng Qiu
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Qian Yang
- Center for Tobacco Research, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43214, USA
| | - John F. P. Bridges
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Jian Chen
- Department of Computer Science and Engineering, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
| | - Ce Shang
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA
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