Impact of e-cigarette characteristics on reinforcement and tobacco use patterns among current smokers

摘要 近年来，电子烟的使用率急剧上升，特别是在年轻人中。 由于电子烟比可燃香烟提供更少的有毒物质，它们可能会改善健康状况 对于完全转换的当前吸烟者的结果。然而，许多尝试使用电子烟的吸烟者确实 不完全转换，完全放弃电子烟或继续使用这两种产品。照经上所 重要的是要了解导致这些可变烟草使用模式的因素。的一个主要 电子烟摄取和吸烟行为变化的决定因素是电子烟提供的强化值， 香烟产品。影响尼古丁输送和感觉运动特征的产品特征包括 最有可能影响相对钢筋值。尼古丁的两个主要产品水平决定因素 递送和感觉运动特征是电子液体的尼古丁浓度和电子液体的功率。 香烟装置拟议的研究项目将调查这些特征对相对 强化价值和烟草使用模式。目前的吸烟者（n=180）将收到电子烟和电子液体 带回家使用三周在双盲2x2设计中，受试者将随机 分配接受低（3 mg）或高（12 mg）尼古丁浓度，以及低（20 W）或高（50 W） 电子烟电源设置。参与者将每周返回实验室完成以下实验室评估： 并提供呼吸和尿液样本，用于评估烟雾的生物标志物， 尼古丁暴露参与者还将完成评估烟草使用的每日电子日记。因此 拟议的设计包括基于实验室的加固和烟草使用的生态评估。平等 将招募年轻成人（18-25岁）和老年人（>25岁）参与者，以进行探索性研究。 分析年龄的影响。K 01候选人Tracy Smith博士的目标是开展一项独立的研究， 一个项目组合，旨在了解1）上下文，个人和产品特性如何有助于使用 2）我们可以利用这些信息通过烟草监管改善公共健康， 政策和公共卫生干预。这里描述的拟议研究项目，沿着明确的培训 目标，将提供实现这一目标所需的技能。培训目标包括： 非卷烟烟草制品，烟草控制研究，烟草使用的发展差异，应用 研究方法学和撰写研究基金。一个强大的导师团队已经组建，具有以下方面的专业知识 每一个这些领域。MUSC提供一流的培训环境，让K-获奖者过渡到 独立研究经费。这里描述的培训是史密斯博士先前工作的一个明显进展， 提供获得研究独立性的必要技能，并将启动史密斯博士的研究 以实质性的、可衡量的方式独立。

Abstract The prevalence of e-cigarette use has increased dramatically in recent years, particularly among young adults. Because e-cigarettes deliver fewer toxicants than combustible cigarettes, they likely offer improved health outcomes for current smokers who switch completely. However, many smokers who try using e-cigarettes do not switch completely, abandoning e-cigarettes altogether or continuing to use both products. Thus, it is important to understand the factors that lead to these variable tobacco use patterns. One of the primary determinants of e-cigarette uptake and changes in smoking behavior is the reinforcement value delivered by e- cigarette products. Product characteristics that impact nicotine delivery and sensorimotor characteristics are most likely to impact relative reinforcement value. Two of the primary product-level determinants of nicotine delivery and sensorimotor characteristics are the nicotine concentration of e-liquid and the power of the e- cigarette device. The proposed research project will investigate the impact of these characteristics on relative reinforcement value and tobacco use patterns. Current smokers (n=180) will receive an e-cigarette and e-liquid to take home and use over a three-week period. In a double-blind 2x2 design, participants will be randomly assigned to receive a low (3 mg) or high (12 mg) nicotine concentration, and either a low (20 W) or high (50 W) e-cigarette power setting. Participants will return to the lab each week to complete laboratory assessments of relative reinforcement value and provide breath and urine samples for biomarker assessments of smoke and nicotine exposure. Participants will also complete daily electronic diaries assessing tobacco use. Thus, the proposed design includes both lab-based and ecological assessments of reinforcement and tobacco use. Equal numbers of young adult (18-25) and older adult (>25) participants will be recruited to allow for exploratory analyses on the impact of age. The K01 candidate, Dr. Tracy Smith, aims to develop an independent research portfolio that seeks to understand how 1) contextual, individual, and product characteristics contribute to the use of tobacco products, and 2) we can leverage this information to improve public health through tobacco regulation, policy, and public health interventions. The proposed research project described here, along with clear training objectives, will provide the skills necessary to achieve that goal. Training objectives include gaining expertise in non-cigarette tobacco products, tobacco control research, developmental differences in tobacco use, applied research methodologies, and grant-writing. A strong team of mentors have been assembled with expertise in each of these areas. MUSC provides a stellar training environment to allow K-awardees to transition to independent research funding. The training described here is a clear progression from Dr. Smith’s prior work, provides necessary skills for obtaining research independence, and will launch Dr. Smith’s research independence in substantial, measurable ways.!