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

摘要 近年来，电子烟的普及率大幅上升，特别是在年轻人中。 由于电子烟比可燃香烟释放的有毒物质更少，它们可能会改善健康 对于现在完全戒烟的吸烟者的结果。然而，许多尝试使用电子烟的吸烟者确实这样做了 而不是完全改变，完全放弃电子烟或继续使用这两种产品。因此，它是 了解导致这些不同烟草使用模式的因素很重要。其中一个主要的 电子烟摄取的决定因素和吸烟行为的变化是电子烟带来的强化价值 卷烟产品。影响尼古丁传递和感觉运动特性的产品特性包括 最有可能影响相对配筋价值。尼古丁的两个主要产品水平决定因素 传递和感觉运动的特征是电子液体的尼古丁浓度和电子液体的威力. 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。目前吸烟者(n=180)将收到一支电子烟和电子液体 带回家，在三周内使用。在双盲2x2设计中，参与者将随机 被分配接受低(3毫克)或高(12毫克)尼古丁浓度，以及低(20W)或高(50W)尼古丁浓度 电子烟电源设置。参与者将每周返回实验室完成实验室评估 相对强化值，并提供呼吸和尿液样本，用于烟尘和 尼古丁暴露。参与者还将完成评估烟草使用情况的日常电子日记。因此， 拟议的设计既包括基于实验室的评估，也包括对加固和烟草使用的生态评估。相等 将招募年轻人(18-25岁)和老年人(25岁)的参与者，以便进行探索 关于年龄的影响的分析。K01候选人特雷西·史密斯博士的目标是开展一项独立研究 寻求了解1)背景、个人和产品特征如何影响使用的投资组合 2)我们可以利用这些信息通过烟草监管来改善公众健康， 政策和公共卫生干预。这里描述的拟议研究项目，以及明确的培训 目标，将提供实现这一目标所需的技能。培训目标包括获得以下方面的专长 非卷烟烟草产品，烟草控制研究，烟草使用的发展差异，应用 研究方法和拨款申请。已经组建了一支强大的导师团队，具有以下方面的专业知识 这些领域中的每一个。MUSC提供一流的培训环境，允许K级获奖者过渡到 独立研究基金。这里描述的培训与史密斯博士之前的工作相比有了明显的进步， 为获得研究独立性提供必要的技能，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.!