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A Pilot Study of E‐Cigarette Naïve Cigarette Smokers and the Effects on Craving After Acute Exposure to E‐Cigarettes in the Laboratory
Author(s) -
Garza Richard,
Shuman Samuel L.,
Yammine Luba,
Yoon Jin Ho,
Salas Ramiro,
Holst Manuela
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
the american journal on addictions
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.997
H-Index - 76
eISSN - 1521-0391
pISSN - 1055-0496
DOI - 10.1111/ajad.12895
Subject(s) - craving , electronic cigarette , nicotine , abstinence , medicine , smoke , smoking cessation , placebo , cue reactivity , clinical psychology , psychiatry , addiction , alternative medicine , physics , pathology , meteorology
Background and Objectives Recent surveys confirm continued increases in the use of electronic‐cigarettes (e‐cigarettes) in adolescents and adults. Users often state that e‐cigarettes reduce tobacco craving and withdrawal symptoms in addition to their smoking. Data from laboratory studies and clinical trials have confirmed these statements, though there are inconsistencies in the outcomes. In this pilot study, we set out to evaluate the effects of e‐cigarettes, as compared to the participants’ own cigarettes, on baseline craving and smoking severity. Methods Using a within‐subjects, placebo‐controlled study design, 15 tobacco‐dependent, e‐cigarette naïve participants sustained abstinence overnight. They completed distinct phases of this protocol during four separate study sessions. Participants were randomized to an e‐cigarette device containing one of three doses of nicotine (0, 18, or 36 mg/ml) or their own cigarette. Each study visit was ~3 hours long and separated by at least 7 days. Visits included assessments of craving and smoking severity. Results The data showed that after 10 puffs in both the Own cigarette and e‐cigarette conditions, breath carbon monoxide levels increased significantly in the former but not the latter. Questionnaire of Smoking Urges and Choices to Smoke scores were not statistically different across groups after two distinct bouts of 10 puffs each. Additionally, E‐cigarette Perceptions Questionnaire responses were not significantly different according to dose. Conclusion and Scientific Significance This experiment provides data demonstrating that e‐cigarettes did not reduce craving or smoking severity in e‐cigarette naïve users. However, since this was a pilot study, the conclusions that can be drawn are limited. (Am J Addict 2019;28:361–366)