Leavens ELS, Lambart LM, St Helen G, Benowitz NL, Mayo MS, Farhad Mahmud KM, Arnold MJ, Nollen NL. Menthol versus tobacco e-liquid flavor: Impact on acute subjective effects, puff patterns, and intentions for use among Black and White menthol smokers.
Addict Behav 2024;
155:108038. [PMID:
38613857 DOI:
10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108038]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
The proposed FDA product standard to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in combustible cigarettes has the potential to significantly reduce tobacco-related health disparities. Whether a menthol e-liquid product standard would improve or hinder public health is unknown. No known research has directly examined the impact of menthol vs. tobacco flavored e-liquid use on acute e-cigarette use patterns, subjective experience, behavioral intentions, and craving and withdrawal among menthol cigarette smokers.
METHODS
Black (n = 47) and White (n = 4) nicotine-deprived menthol smokers with limited e-cigarette experience completed two counterbalanced in-laboratory 30-minute ad libitum vaping sessions with menthol and tobacco nicotine salt-based e-liquid in a randomized crossover pilot trial design. Questionnaires assessed reductions in craving and withdrawal and post-session subjective experience and behavioral intentions. Puff topography was measured continuously throughout each vaping session.
RESULTS
Measures of puff topography did not differ significantly by e-liquid flavor (all p > .40). Similarly, menthol and tobacco flavored e-cigarettes were both rated positively in terms of subjective effects and behavioral intentions (all p > .10) and about 40 % of participants reported a preference for the tobacco-flavored e-liquid. Finally, participants showed comparable reductions in craving (p = .210) and withdrawal (p = .671) from pre- and post-session regardless of e-liquid flavor.
CONCLUSIONS
Among menthol smokers in a lab-based setting, findings suggest that menthol vs tobacco e-liquid flavor has little impact on acute changes in puff patterns, subjective experience, behavioral intentions, or craving and withdrawal.
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