From Doubt to Confidence-Overcoming Fraudulent Submissions by Bots and Other Takers of a Web-Based Survey.

In 2019, we launched a web-based longitudinal survey of adults who frequently use e-cigarettes, called the Vaping and Patterns of E-cigarette Use Research (VAPER) Study. The initial attempt to collect survey data failed due to fraudulent survey submissions, likely submitted by survey bots and other survey takers. This paper chronicles the journey from that setback to the successful completion of 5 waves of data collection.

The impact of electronic cigarette aerosol exposure on spatial memory formation: Modulation by orally administered vitamin E.

The use of electronic cigarettes (ECIGs) has grown exponentially among young adolescents. Tobacco smoking, in general and ECIG use in particular, has been linked to disruption of the oxidative system, resulting in organ damage. The current investigation intends to evaluate if orally administered Vitamin E (VitE) can protect from learning and cognitive impairment induced by ECIG aerosol exposure in a rat model.

Effects of freebase/protonated nicotine concentration, liquid composition and electrical power on throat hit in direct-to-lung vaping: theory and clinical measurements.

Background: For decades, the tobacco industry has engineered the sensory characteristics of combustible tobacco products including the degree of harshness experienced at the back of the throat. Commonly referred to as 'throat hit', this harshness derives from absorption of gas phase nicotine and other constituents by the sensory nerves. People who use tobacco products associate throat hit with the positive psychological effects of nicotine, making it a secondary reinforcer for smoking.

Hidden flaws in e-cigarette industry-funded studies.

Electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use has increased since e-cigarettes were introduced to the market nearly 20 years ago. Researchers continue to conduct studies to understand the health risks and benefits of e-cigarettes to inform health education and promotion efforts as well as public policy. Studies funded by the tobacco industry examining the potential risks and benefits of e-cigarettes have also been conducted and are sometimes published in the scientific literature.

Constraining electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) nicotine dose by controlling nicotine flux at a limited puff duration.

Nicotine flux, the rate of electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) nicotine emission, is important in determining ENDS abuse liability. However, flux does not account for user behavior, including puff duration. Along with nicotine flux, puff duration limits the dose of nicotine that can be inhaled.

Assessment of human abuse potential of an unflavored, sucralose-sweetened electronic cigarette in combustible cigarette smokers.

Despite the popularity of electronic cigarettes (ECIGs), limited research has examined the role of sweeteners, independent of other flavors, in shaping ECIG human abuse potential (HAP). This study examined the effects of sucralose and nicotine in unflavored ECIG liquid solutions to provide a basic understanding of the effects of sweeteners on ECIG HAP compared to combustible cigarettes. Individuals who smoked cigarettes daily ( = 14) completed five within-subject, Latin-square ordered study sessions that differed by product used: (a) own-brand combustible cigarettes (OB), (b) 0 mg/mL nicotine, unsweetened liquid, (c) 0 mg/mL nicotine, sucralose-sweetened liquid, (d) 15 mg/mL nicotine, unsweetened liquid, and (e) 15 mg/mL nicotine, sucralose-sweetened liquid.

Building consensus on a set of ENDS-specific pictorial health warnings: a Delphi study among a tobacco control expert panel.

Background: This study reports on the development of pictorial health warning labels for electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) using the Delphi approach with a panel of tobacco control experts. Twenty-four evidence-based ENDS-specific warnings corresponding to three themes (toxicity, health risks and specific harm) were developed and used in the Delphi study.

Methods: We conducted a three-round online Delphi study among 60 experts (55% female) between June 2022 and April 2023.

Nicotine and Cardiovascular Health: When Poison is Addictive - a WHF Policy Brief.

Nicotine is universally recognized as the primary addictive substance fuelling the continued use of tobacco products, which are responsible for over 8 million deaths annually. In recent years, the popularity of newer recreational nicotine products has surged drastically in many countries, raising health and safety concerns. For decades, the tobacco industry has promoted the myth that nicotine is as harmless as caffeine.

PMI-funded foundation for a smoke-free world: application of criteria to assess funding models that include financial support from the tobacco industry.

Recent changes to the leadership and the terms of tobacco industry financing of the Foundation for a Smoke-Free World (FSFW) have called for a revisiting of a paper published in 2009 where we proposed criteria and other considerations to assess possible funding models for research that include financial support from the tobacco industry. This paper reviews and attempts to apply the elements laid out in 2009 to the current state of FSFW. After discussing each criterion and consideration we conclude that, at this point in time, conducting a thorough assessment using our 2009 paper is not possible because critical details related to FSFW governance, decision-making and process have not been announced.

Influence of nicotine form and nicotine flux on puffing behavior and mouth-level exposure to nicotine from electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Background: Nicotine form (freebase/protonated) and nicotine flux (rate at which nicotine is emitted) are two factors that can affect the dose of nicotine inhaled by individuals using electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) because they can influence puffing behavior. The nicotine dose for each puff also is directly proportional to nicotine flux (i.e.

E-Cigarette Dependence and Depressive Symptoms Among Youth.

Introduction: Although the relationship between smoking and depression has been well-established, little is known about the association between use of e-cigarette and depression, particularly among youth and young adults. This study proposes that e-cigarette dependence, rather than simply use, serves as a potential stressor and may interact with pre-existing vulnerabilities to contribute to depression in youth, consistent with the diathesis-stress theory. This study examines the longitudinal association of vaping dependence and vaping frequency on depression symptoms among youth and young adults who have never smoked cigarettes.

Nicotine flux as a powerful tool for regulating nicotine delivery from e-cigarettes: Protocol of two complimentary randomized crossover clinical trials.

Introduction: Electronic cigarette (EC) use has increased rapidly in the last decade, especially among youth. Regulating nicotine delivery from ECs could help curb youth uptake and leverage EC use in harm reduction yet is complicated by varying device and liquid variables that affect nicotine delivery. Nicotine flux, the nicotine emission rate, is a parameter that incorporates these variables and focuses on the performance rather than the design of an EC.

Milestones in the natural course of the onset of e-cigarette dependence among adolescents and young adults: Retrospective study.

Introduction: There is considerable controversy about the development of dependence among e-cigarette users. This study describes the average amount of time using e-cigarettes before dependence milestones emerge and the differences in developing dependence between e-cigarette users who smoke cigarettes compared to those who do not.

Methods: Adolescents and young adults aged 16-25 living in Canada were recruited into an online survey in 2021.

"Waterpipe Is Like a Wife": Qualitative Assessment of Perspectives on Waterpipe Smoking Dependence.

Background: Waterpipe (WP) smoking has become a global public health problem in recent decades and growing evidence indicates that it can cause nicotine dependence. Most evidence on WP dependence to date has been derived from survey- or laboratory-based studies. This study employed qualitative methods to explore WP users' perceptions of dependence in Aleppo, Syria.

Interventions for waterpipe smoking cessation.

Background: While cigarette smoking has declined globally, waterpipe smoking is rising, especially among youth. The impact of this rise is amplified by mounting evidence of its addictive and harmful nature. Waterpipe smoking is influenced by multiple factors, including appealing flavors, marketing, use in social settings, and misperceptions that waterpipe is less harmful or addictive than cigarettes.

Electronic Nicotine Delivery System flavor use over time by age group in the US: A longitudinal analysis.

Introduction: The prevalence of flavor use in Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) has been assessed in numerous studies, but limited research has focused on flavor use trends and maintenance of flavor preference over time. This study investigated the general trends and maintenance of ENDS flavor use for youth (aged 12-17 years), young adults (aged 18-24 years), and older adults (aged ≥25 years) between 2014 and 2019.

Methods: Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study Wave 2 (2014-2015), Wave 3 (2015-2016), Wave 4 (2016-2017), and Wave 5 (2018-2019) youth and adult data were used.

Comparison of design characteristics and toxicant emissions from Vuse Solo and Alto electronic nicotine delivery systems.

Introduction: Vuse Solo is the first electronic nicotine delivery system (ENDS) authorised by the US Food and Drug Administration for marketing in the USA. Salient features of the Vuse Solo product such as nicotine form, draw resistance, power regulation and electrical characteristics have not been reported previously, and few studies have examined the nicotine and other toxicant emissions of this product. We investigated the design characteristics and toxicant emissions of the Solo as well as Alto, another Vuse product with a greater market share than Solo.

The Vaping and Patterns of e-Cigarette Use Research Study: Protocol for a Web-Based Cohort Study.

Background: In total, 3.2% of American adults report using e-cigarettes every day or some days. The Vaping and Patterns of E-cigarette Use Research (VAPER) Study is a web-based longitudinal survey designed to observe patterns in device and liquid use that suggest the benefits and unintended consequences of potential e-cigarette regulations.

Nicotine Dependence among Current Cigarette Smokers Who Use E-Cigarettes and Cannabis.

Background: Co-use of tobacco and cannabis and dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes are very common among young adults. However, it is unclear whether co-use of cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and/or cannabis is associated with higher levels of nicotine dependence than cigarette-only use. We investigated the relationship between cigarette/nicotine dependence and co-use of tobacco and cannabis among 4 groups of cigarette smokers aged 18-35: cigarette-only smokers, cigarette-e-cigarette (CIG-ECIG) co-users, cigarette-cannabis (CIG-CAN) co-users, and cigarette-e-cigarette-cannabis (CIG-ECIG-CAN) co-users.

Smoking, e-cigarettes and the effect on respiratory symptoms among a population sample of youth: Retrospective cohort study.

Introduction: E-cigarettes have been steadily increasing in popularity, both as cessation methods for smoking and for recreational and social reasons. This increase in vaping may pose cardiovascular and respiratory risks. We aimed to assess respiratory symptoms in youth users of e-cigarettes and cigarettes.