Satisfactory throat-hit is needed to switch from tobacco to e-cigarettes: a lesson from an e-liquid blind test

Abstract

Tob. Prev. Cessation 2016;2(April):59 http://www.dx.doi.org/10.18332/tpc/62918 ABSTRACT BACKGROUND The aim of the study was to confirm or reject the hypothesis that variation in throat-hit depends on the nicotine concentration and the voltage applied to the resistance. A secondary aim was to assess the influence of throat-hit on the willingness of subjects to switch from tobacco to e-cigarette use."METhODS In this experimental blind test participants were 35 students (aged 22.0 + 7.7), current smokers, who tested five e-liquids with a nicotine concentration between 0 to 18mg/mL, at 3.5 or 4.5 volts (at 1.8Ω) powered by EGO type e-cigarettes . After describing their smoking habits (heaviness smoking index (HSI), and signing consent, participants smoked 1 puff every 5 minutes, inhaling for 3 seconds, for each of the 10 conditions and rated their subjective experience.RESULTS Analysis of the 350 puffs from the 35 smokers,indicated a learning process of 5 puffs. Within this population a nicotine concentration of 12.6mg/mL combined to 3.5volts and 10.9mg/ mL combined to 4.5volts was associated with OTH. Our results indicated a link between tobacco dependence and nicotine concentration of the e-liquid that provided an optimal throat-hit (OTH), with an +1.6mg/mL increase in nicotine content needed for the OTH for each one point increase in HSI. A link between the desire to switch from tobacco to e-cigarettes and the score of throat-hit was identified (r2=0.94). This desire is <1/10 when throat-hit is unpleasant (score 0-3) and exceeds 7/10 when throat-hit is optimal (score 7-10).CONCLUSIONS The present data justifies the need to further develop e-cigarettes so that an optimal OTH is identified quickly. Further research is needed to confirm the above results in other populations and to assess the specific influence of flavour on throat hit.

Early Subjective Sensory Experiences with “Cigalike” E-cigarettes Among African American Menthol Smokers: A Qualitative Study

“…The sensory attributes of cigarette smoking facilitate smoker satisfaction and product acceptance. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25]32,33 Similar to both tobacco industry and nonindustry research [19][20][21][22][23][24][25]32,33 on cigarettes, participants' narratives about their use of e-cigarettes centered on taste, inhalation, and physiological satisfaction. William described his initial use of e-cigarettes, noting how they taste compared to menthol cigarettes: "The taste…you taste that menthol taste in there, but you know, I'm not going to sit there and say it tastes like a regular cigarette.…”

“…22,23 "Throat hit" is the sensation felt at the back of the throat by smokers immediately after inhaling a cigarette. 24,25 "Whole body" satisfaction describes the alleviation of nicotine withdrawal symptoms and is experienced as a pleasurable sensation that has no distinct origin in the body. 19 These three aspects of the sensory experience of cigarette smoking are distinct and complex subjective dimensions that may also interact with cigarette branding to enhance customer loyalty.…”

“…19 These three aspects of the sensory experience of cigarette smoking are distinct and complex subjective dimensions that may also interact with cigarette branding to enhance customer loyalty. [19][20][21][22][23][24][25] A key question regarding e-cigarette use for public health benefit is to examine in more detail the reasons why a majority of users discontinue use while some users do continue use. 8,17 This discontinuation compromises e-cigarettes' potential role in facilitating smoking abstinence or reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked.…”

Vape Shop Employees: Public Health Advocates?

“…From the perspectives of these employees, there are several reasons to mod. The most frequently mentioned reasons were to customize for myself, as a hobby, and to get a stronger throat hit (i.e., a sensation that originates with the trigeminal nerves, before the chemicals reach the brain, and occurs in throat in the first six seconds after a puff) 14 , 15 . Also, mods are regarded as more closely simulating smoking than cheaper e-cigarettes and other cessation devices/methods.…”

The Importance of Conditioned Stimuli in Cigarette and E-Cigarette Craving Reduction by E-Cigarettes

“…The most obvious route is, of course, the direct pharmacological central nervous system effects of nicotine (nicotine-acetylcholine-glutamate- gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)-dopamine neural circuitry promoting nicotine reward, dependence, and withdrawal) [ 37 ]. Another mechanism may be the airway sensory impact of nicotine (“throat hit”), which has been shown to contribute to the conditioned rewarding effects (pleasantness, desirability) of (tobacco) cigarette puffs independently from the dopaminergic central nervous system effects [ 38 ], as well as to the potential of e-cigs to evoke a self-reported readiness to switch from tobacco smoking to e-cigs in smokers [ 39 ]. Our finding confirms the important role of nicotine in craving reduction, but, at the same time, it indicates that other, conditioned factors may play a role as well [ 14 ].…”