Nicotine Delivery and Changes in Withdrawal and Craving During Acute Electronic Cigarette, Heated Tobacco Product, and Cigarette Use Among a Sample of Black and White People Who Smoke.

INTRODUCTION: E-cigarettes and heated tobacco products (HTPs) may serve as potential options for harm reduction for smokers if they possess reward profiles similar to cigarettes. Little is known about the abuse liability of HTPs and e-cigarettes versus cigarettes in racial/ethnic minority smokers. AIMS AND METHODS: Twenty-two nicotine-deprived people who smoke (black [n = 12] and white [n = 10]) completed three visits that included a standardized 10-puff bout followed by a 50-minute ad libitum use assessment with their usual brand cigarette (UBC), an e-cigarette, and HTP. Visits were completed in a randomized crossover design and were separated by a minimum 48-hour washout period. Assessments included plasma nicotine, Cmax, and reductions in craving and withdrawal. RESULTS: UBC delivered significantly greater levels of nicotine compared to the e-cigarette (p < .001) and HTP (p < .01) during both the standardized and ad libitum sessions. HTP delivered more nicotine than the e-cigarette during the standardized puffing session (p = .047) but not the ad libitum session. Only craving during the standardized puffing session and not the ad libitum session showed significant differences across products (p < .001) such that UBC resulted in the greatest reduction followed by HTP and e-cigarette. CONCLUSIONS: Despite greater nicotine delivery from the UBC compared to e-cigarette and HTP, participants reported reductions in craving and withdrawal across products, particularly following ad libitum use. IMPLICATIONS: Use of participant's UBCs (UBC) resulted in greater nicotine delivery compared to both the e-cigarette and HTP. Despite this relative difference in nicotine delivery, participants reported reductions in craving and withdrawal across products, particularly following ad libitum use. These findings suggest that in this sample of black and white people who smoke, HTPs and e-cigarettes provided significant relief from negative symptoms that maintain smoking.

Examining the predictive utility of behavioral economic demand indices and subjective effects on the actualized reinforcing value of menthol cigarettes and potential alternatives.

INTRODUCTION: Considering recent and proposed bans on menthol cigarettes, methods are needed to understand the substitutability of potential menthol cigarette alternatives (MCAs) for menthol cigarettes. This study examined the prospective relationship between behavioral economic demand indices and subjective effects of usual brand menthol cigarettes (UBMC) and preferred MCAs with subsequent performance on a laboratory-based concurrent-choice task comparing UBMC and MCAs. METHODS: Eighty participants who typically smoked menthol cigarettes completed this clinical lab study. After sampling each product, participants completed the cigarette purchase task (CPT) and modified cigarette evaluation questionnaire (mCEQ). Following one-week of substituting their preferred MCA for their UBMC, participants completed a 90-min concurrent-choice self-administration task comparing their UBMC and preferred MCA. Linear regression models explored associations between CPT demand indices and mCEQ subjective effects in the lab with subsequent response effort for UBMCs on the concurrent-choice task. RESULTS: Three demand indices for UBMC were positively associated with UBMC response effort: Essential Value (EV; p=.02), Omax (p=.02), and breakpoint (p=.04). Four CPT demand indices for the preferred MCA significantly corresponded with UBMC response effort: EV (p=.03), Pmax (p=.04), Omax (p=.03), and breakpoint (p=.03). Subjective effects captured by the mCEQ were not associated with response effort. CONCLUSIONS: Demand indices reflecting Persistence (i.e., sensitivity to escalating price) predicted effort to obtain UBMC puffs on the concurrent-choice task. Among this sample, the CPT captured information on the relative reinforcing value (i.e., addiction potential) of combustible tobacco products similar to the longer self-administration task. IMPLICATIONS: In an ever-changing product market, assessing the reinforcing efficacy of menthol cigarettes and putative substitutes quickly and with validity is an important methodological tool for understanding abuse liability. Results suggest that behavioral economic demand indices of cigarette purchase task efficiently capture information on the relative reinforcing value of usual brand menthol cigarettes and plausible alternative tobacco products, similar to a 90-min in-laboratory self-administration task.

Evaluating the Role of Nicotine Stereoisomer on Nicotine Pouch Abuse Liability: A Randomized Crossover Trial.

INTRODUCTION: Many oral nicotine pouch (ONP) brands use synthetic nicotine, which typically contains a racemic (50:50) mixture of nicotine's two stereoisomers: S-nicotine and R-nicotine. Because tobacco-derived nicotine contains more than 99% S-nicotine, the effects of R-nicotine in humans are not well known. We compared systemic nicotine exposure and product appeal of ONPs containing more than 99% S-nicotine versus racemic nicotine. AIMS AND METHODS: N = 18 adult smokers (Mage = 45 years, 66.7% male, 77.8% White) enrolled in a three-visit single-blind, randomized crossover study. During each visit, participants used one wintergreen-flavored, 3 mg nicotine ONP for 30 min following at least12 h nicotine abstinence. Study ONP #1 contained more than 99% S-nicotine and the other two study ONPs contained racemic nicotine (collapsed for analyses). Plasma nicotine assessments and measures of withdrawal relief occurred at t = 0, 5, 15, 30, 60, and 90 min; measures of product appeal were assessed following ONP use. RESULTS: Using the ONP with more than 99% S-nicotine resulted in greater plasma nicotine concentration from 15 to 90 min (p < .0001) and greater maximum plasma nicotine concentration than the ONPs with racemic nicotine (M = 9.9 ng/mL [SD = 2.5] vs. M = 5.7 ng/mL [SD = 2.8], respectively; p < .0001). Product liking and withdrawal relief were similar across ONPs, although participants reported more "bad effects" when using the ONP with more than 99% S-nicotine. CONCLUSIONS: Participants reported few subjective differences in ONPs according to nicotine stereoisomer, but plasma nicotine concentration was greater for ONPs using more than 99% S-nicotine. ONPs with more than 99% S-nicotine (vs. racemic nicotine) might be better substitutes for cigarettes, but research into other ONP characteristics (eg flavors, freebase nicotine) is needed to inform regulation. IMPLICATIONS: Little is known about the effects of racemic (vs. S-) nicotine in humans. In a sample of adults who smoke cigarettes, we identified that oral nicotine pouches containing racemic nicotine exposed participants to less nicotine than oral nicotine pouches containing only S-nicotine, but both types of oral nicotine pouches held similar, moderate appeal. Additional research evaluating the roles that flavorings, total nicotine concentration, and freebase nicotine play in the abuse liability of oral nicotine pouches would inform comprehensive product regulations to support public health.

Current cannabis use and pain management among US cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: National studies reporting the prevalence of cannabis use have focused on individuals with a history of cancer without distinction by their treatment status, which can impact symptom burden. While pain is a primary motivation to use cannabis in cancer, the magnitude of its association with cannabis use remains understudied. METHODS: We examined cannabis use and pain management among 5523 respondents of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System with a cancer history. Survey-weighted prevalence proportions of respondents' cannabis use are reported, stratified on cancer treatment status. Regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of cancer-related pain and cannabis use. RESULTS: Cannabis use was slightly more prevalent in those undergoing active treatment relative to those who were not undergoing active treatment (9.3% vs. 6.2%; P=0.05). Those under active treatment were more likely to use cannabis medicinally (71.6% vs. 50.0%; P=0.03). Relative to those without cancer-related pain, persons with pain under medical control (OR 2.1, 95% CI, 1.4-3.2) or uncontrolled pain were twice as likely to use cannabis (OR 2.0, 95% CI, 1.1-3.5). CONCLUSIONS: Use of cannabis among cancer patients may be related to their treatment and is positively associated with cancer-related pain. Future research should investigate the associations of cannabis use, symptom burden, and treatment regimens across the treatment spectrum to facilitate interventions.

Benchmarking a universal smoking machine adaptor for tobacco product testing.

SIGNIFICANCE: Characterisation of tobacco product emissions is an important step in assessing their impact on public health. Accurate and repeatable emissions data require that a leak-tight seal be made between the smoking or vaping machine and the mouth-end of the tobacco product being tested. This requirement is challenging because of the variety of tobacco product mouth-end geometries being puffed on by consumers today. We developed and tested a prototype universal smoking machine adaptor (USMA) that interfaces with existing machines and reliably seals with a variety of tobacco product masses and geometries. METHODS: Emissions were machine-generated using the USMA and other available adaptors for a variety of electronic cigarettes (n=7 brands), cigars (n=4), cigarillos (n=2), a heated tobacco product, and a reference cigarette (1R6F), and mainstream total particulate matter (TPM) and nicotine were quantified. Data variability (precision, n≥10 replicates/brand) for all products and error (accuracy) from certified values (1R6F) were compared across adaptors. RESULTS: TPM and nicotine emissions generated using the USMA were accurate, precise and agreed with certified values for the 1R6F reference cigarette. Replicate data indicate that USMA repeatability across all tobacco products tested generally meets or exceeds that from the comparison adaptors and extant data. CONCLUSION: The USMA seals well with a variety of combustible tobacco products, e-cigarettes with differing geometries and plastic-tipped cigarillos. Variability for all measures was similar or smaller for the USMA compared with other adaptors.

Universal smoking machine adaptor for tobacco product testing.

SIGNIFICANCE: Historically, tobacco product emissions testing using smoking machines has largely focused on combustible products, such as cigarettes and cigars. However, the popularity of newer products, such as electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), has complicated emissions testing because the products' mouth-end geometries do not readily seal with existing smoking and vaping machines. The demand for emissions data on popularly used products has led to inefficient and non-standardised solutions, such as laboratories making their geometry-specific custom adaptors and/or employing flexible tubing, for each unique mouth-end geometry tested. A user-friendly, validated, universal smoking machine adaptor (USMA) is needed for testing the variety of tobacco products reflecting consumer use, including e-cigarettes, heated tobacco products, cigarettes, plastic-tipped cigarillos and cigars. METHODS: A prototype USMA that is compatible with existing smoking/vaping machines was designed and fabricated. The quality of the seal between the USMA and different tobacco products, including e-cigarettes, cigars and cigarillos, was evaluated by examining the leak rate. RESULTS: Unlike commercial, product-specific adaptors, the USMA seals well with a wide range of tobacco product mouth-end geometries and masses. This includes e-cigarettes with non-cylindrical mouth ends and cigarillos with cuboid-like plastic tips. USMA leak rates were lower than or equivalent to commercial, product-specific adaptors. CONCLUSION: This report provides initial evidence that the USMA seals reliably with a variety of tobacco product mouth-end geometries and can be used with existing linear smoking/vaping machines to potentially improve the precision, repeatability and reproducibility of machine smoke yield data. Accurate and reproducible emissions testing is critical for regulating tobacco products.

Concurrent Choice Assessment of Preference and Substitutability of E-cigarettes and Heated Tobacco Products for Combustible Cigarettes Among African American and White Smokers.

INTRODUCTION: Alternative nicotine delivery products, including electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) and heated tobacco products (HTPs), contain fewer toxicants than combustible cigarettes and offer a potential for harm reduction. Research on the substitutability of e-cigarettes and HTPs is crucial for understanding their impact on public health. This study examined subjective and behavioral preferences for an e-cigarette and HTP relative to participants' usual brand combustible cigarette (UBC) in African American and White smokers naïve to alternative products. AIMS AND METHODS: Twenty-two adult African American (n = 12) and White (n = 10) smokers completed randomized study sessions with their UBC and study provided e-cigarette and HTP. A concurrent choice task allowed participants to earn puffs of the products but placed UBC on a progressive ratio schedule, making puffs harder to earn, and e-cigarette and HTP on a fixed ratio schedule to assess behavioral preference for the products. Behavioral preference was then compared to self-reported subjective preference. RESULTS: Most participants had a subjective preference for UBC (n = 11, 52.4%), followed by an equal preference for e-cigarette (n = 5, 23.8%) and HTP (n = 5, 23.8%). During the concurrent choice task, participants showed a behavioral preference (i.e., more earned puffs) for the e-cigarette (n = 9, 42.9%), followed by HTP (n = 8, 38.1%), and UBC (n = 4, 19.1%). Participants earned significantly more puffs of the alternative products compared to UBC (p = .011) with no difference in earned puffs between e-cigarettes and HTP (p = .806). CONCLUSIONS: In a simulated lab setting, African American and White smokers were willing to substitute UBC for an e-cigarette or HTP when the attainment of UBC became more difficult. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT04646668. IMPLICATIONS: Findings suggest that African American and White smokers are willing to substitute their UBC for an alternative nicotine delivery product (e-cigarette or HTP) when the attainment of cigarettes became more difficult in a simulated lab setting. Findings require confirmation among a larger sample under real-world conditions but add to growing evidence suggesting the acceptability of alternative nicotine delivery products among racially diverse smokers. These data are important as policies that limit the availability or appeal of combustible cigarettes are considered or enacted.

Substitutability of menthol cigarette alternatives: a clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: This study assessed the substitutability of plausible combustible menthol cigarette alternatives (MCAs) for usual brand menthol cigarettes (UBMCs) in adults who smoke menthol cigarettes. METHODS: Following three in-lab sampling sessions, 80 adults aged 21-50 who smoke menthol cigarettes chose their preferred MCA: (1) a menthol roll-your-own cigarette (mRYO), (2) a menthol filtered little cigar (mFLC) or (3) a non-menthol cigarette (NMC). Participants were instructed to completely substitute their preferred MCA for their UBMC for 1 week and complete daily diaries documenting adherence and subjective effects. At the final lab visit, participants completed concurrent choice and cross-price elasticity tasks with their substitute product and UBMC as the comparator. RESULTS: Most (65%) participants chose mRYO as their preferred product, followed by NMC and mFLC. Adherence to MCA was high for all products across the week (range: 63%-88%). Positive subjective effects for mRYO decreased over time but remained numerically higher than the other MCA products; craving reduction also decreased for NMC across phases. In the progressive ratio task, participants chose their UBMC in 61.7% of choices; this did not differ by preferred MCA, although the median breakpoint was highest for mRYO and similar for mFLC and NMC. Cross-price elasticity comparing UBMC and the preferred product indicated high substitutability of each MCA at phase 3 (I values -0.70 to -0.82). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: mRYOs were the most preferred MCA among the study products, but all MCAs were acceptable substitutes for UBMC using behavioural and economic measures in a short-term trial period.Trial registration number NCT04844762.

Correlates of motivation to quit waterpipe tobacco smoking among US young adults: implications for cessation interventions.

Waterpipe tobacco smoking is a public health concern that poses many of the same health risks as cigarette smoking, especially among young adults-a subpopulation characterized by the highest prevalence of waterpipe tobacco smoking. Nevertheless, it remains understudied relative to other forms of tobacco use. We examined sociodemographic, behavioral and cognitive factors associated with young adults' motivation to quit waterpipe smoking using a theory-informed approach. We completed a secondary analysis of baseline data on waterpipe tobacco smoking beliefs and behavior collected from 349 US young adults aged 18-30 years. We analyzed sociodemographics, tobacco use and cessation behaviors and perceptions, and theory-related constructs associated with motivation to quit waterpipe tobacco smoking using linear regression. Overall, participants reported low motivation (mean = 2.68, SD = 1.56, scale range 1-7) and high self-efficacy (mean = 5.12, SD = 1.79) to quit waterpipe tobacco smoking. In multivariable analysis, prior quit attempts (ß = 1.10, P < 0.01), greater perceived risks of waterpipe tobacco smoking (ß = 0.42, P < 0.01) and increasingly negative attitudes toward waterpipe tobacco smoking (ß = 0.29, P < 0.01) were associated with higher motivation to quit. These findings highlight the importance of those factors as potential cessation determinants. These findings can help guide the development and refinement of interventions targeting young adult waterpipe tobacco smoking.

E-Cigarette Use among Sexual Minoritized Women and Nonbinary People Assigned Female at Birth: Assessing the Roles of Discrimination, Perceived Stress, and Social Support.

Background: Young adult sexual minoritized women (SMW) are at disproportionate risk for e-cigarette use, which may in part be due to excess minority stress imposed by discrimination exposure. While discrimination exposure is associated with risk for combustible tobacco/nicotine use among SMW, similar associations have yet to be tested with e-cigarettes. Moreover, it is unknown if discrimination-related risk may be mitigated by protective factors such as social support. This study examined concurrent associations of discrimination, perceived stress, and social support with past 30-day e-cigarette use in a sample of young adult SMW during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: N = 501 SMW and nonbinary people assigned female at birth (AFAB) aged 18-30 completed an online survey. A series of logistic regressions examined associations of discrimination, perceived stress, and four forms of social support received during the COVID-19 pandemic with past-30-day e-cigarette use. Results: Among SMW, greater perceived stress (OR = 1.10, p = .03), but not discrimination exposure, was associated with e-cigarette use. Associations of discrimination with e-cigarette use were nonsignificant when most forms of social support (emotional, material/financial, and virtual) were accounted for. Associations of perceived stress with e-cigarette use were strongest among those who needed but did not receive material support. Conclusions: Perceived stress, but not discrimination exposure, was associated with risk for e-cigarette use among young SMW during the COVID-19 pandemic. Effects of nonspecific stress may be compounded by insufficient material/financial support.

A Randomized Pilot of a Tailored Smoking Cessation Quitline Intervention for Individuals Who Smoke and Vape.

INTRODUCTION: Although e-cigarettes are not a federally approved tobacco cessation aid in the United States, many smokers use them to quit or cut down on smoking. Tailored behavioral support could improve rates of complete smoking cessation for those individuals. AIMS AND METHODS: A novel behavioral treatment to help dual cigarette and e-cigarette users quit smoking was tested in a randomized pilot with a state tobacco quitline. Ninety-six dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes were recruited from incoming state quitline callers and randomized to receive enhanced e-cigarette coaching (EEC) or quitline treatment as usual (TAU) to examine EEC feasibility and acceptability. Outcomes at 3 months were treatment satisfaction, engagement, beliefs, and smoking cessation. This pilot was not powered to detect differences in quit rates. RESULTS: Sixty-nine percent responded to the 3-month survey. EEC treatment satisfaction was noninferior to TAU: 93.8% (30/32) of EEC and 73.5% (25/34) of TAU reported being "very satisfied" or "satisfied" with treatment, respectively. EEC participants completed more coaching calls than TAU (M = 3.4 vs. M = 2.7, p = .03), and the majority in both groups elected to receive nicotine replacement therapy (EEC: 100%, TAU: 94%, p = .24). With missing data imputed as smoking, intent-to-treat 7-day point prevalence smoking abstinence rates were 41.3% (19/46) for EEC and 28.0% (14/50) for TAU (p = .20). CONCLUSIONS: The EEC quitline intervention for dual cigarette and e-cigarette users demonstrated high levels of treatment satisfaction and engagement. This pilot was not powered to detect significant differences in smoking cessation; however, cessation rates were promising and warrant evaluation in a fully powered trial. IMPLICATIONS: If this scalable behavioral treatment to help dual cigarette and e-cigarette users quit smoking proves to be effective in a larger trial, quitlines could implement this harm reduction approach to improve outcomes for callers who already use e-cigarettes and are planning to use them while quitting smoking.

Addiction potential of combustible menthol cigarette alternatives: a randomised cross-over trial.

INTRODUCTION: The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued proposed product standards banning menthol as a characterising flavour in cigarettes and cigars. The public health benefits of these product standards may be attenuated by the role of plausible substitutes in the marketplace. Therefore, the present study examined the addiction potential of plausible combustible menthol alternatives compared with usual brand menthol cigarettes (UBMC). METHODS: Ninety-eight adult menthol cigarette smokers completed four visits, smoking their UBMC at the first session and three menthol cigarette alternatives in random order at the subsequent visits: (1) a preassembled menthol roll-your-own (mRYO) cigarette using menthol pipe tobacco and mentholated cigarette tube, (2) a menthol filtered little cigar (mFLC) and (3) a non-menthol cigarette (NMC). Measures of smoking topography, exhaled carbon monoxide (CO), craving and withdrawal, subjective effects and behavioural economic demand indices were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with UBMC, menthol cigarette alternatives resulted in different puffing topography and CO exposure (except mRYO), and lower levels of positive subjective experience and behavioural economic demand indices. Among the alternative products, participants reported the highest level of positive subjective experience and higher demand for mRYO, compared with mFLC and NMC. Similarly, participants were significantly more likely to want to try again, purchase and use the mRYO product regularly compared with mFLC and NMC. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: mRYO cigarettes were the most highly rated cigarette alternative among study products, suggesting their potential appeal as a menthol cigarette substitute and needed inclusion of menthol pipe tobacco and cigarette tubes in FDA's proposed ban.

Effects of flavourants and humectants on waterpipe tobacco puffing behaviour, biomarkers of exposure and subjective effects among adults with high versus low nicotine dependence.

INTRODUCTION: Flavourants and humectants in waterpipe tobacco (WT) increase product appeal. Removal of these constituents, however, is associated with increased intensity of WT puffing, likely due to reduced nicotine delivery efficiency. To clarify the potential public health outcomes of restrictions on flavourants or humectants in WT, we evaluated the effects of these constituents on puffing behaviours, biomarkers of exposure and subjective effects among adults with high versus low WT dependence. METHODS: N=39 high dependence and N=49 low dependence WT smokers (Lebanese Waterpipe Dependence Scale scores >10 = high dependence) completed four smoking sessions in a cross-over experiment. Conditions were preferred flavour with humectant (+F+H), preferred flavour without humectant (+F-H), unflavoured with humectant (-F+H) and unflavoured without humectant (-F-H). Measures of puff topography, plasma nicotine and expired carbon monoxide (eCO) boost, and subjective effects were assessed. RESULTS: Level of WT dependence modified the effect of WT condition on average flow rate, average puff volume and eCO boost. Although, overall, participants puffed the +F+H WT least intensely and -F-H WT most intensely, this association was strongest among WT smokers with high dependence. Participants preferred smoking the +F+H WT and achieved the largest plasma nicotine boost in that condition. DISCUSSION: Findings underscore the complexity of setting product standards related to flavourants and humectants in WT. Future research evaluating whether WT smokers with high dependence would quit or reduce their WT smoking in response to removal of flavourants or humectants from WT is necessary to appreciate the full public health effects of such policies.

Minoritized Sexual Identity and Perceived Effectiveness of Instagram Public Health Messaging about E-cigarettes.

E-cigarette (EC) use in young adult sexual-minoritized women (SMW) is disproportionately higher than among heterosexual women and sexual-minoritized men. Public health messaging utilizing social branding, a method used to tailor health messages to one's identity, may help combat this problem. We conducted an online study with SMW (N= 457) and asked them to complete scales assessing their sexual minoritized identity affirmation and centrality. Participants were randomized to view socially branded messages discouraging EC use across three themes (general wellness, pride, health harms). Results revealed that overall lesbian, bisexual, or queer (LBQ) identity (affirmation and centrality) was significantly positively associated with perceived message effectiveness (PME) (p < .001). Identity affirmation was significantly associated with PME when controlling for identity centrality (p = .004). Interaction between identity affirmation and theme was significant (p= .02), as positive effects of identity affirmation on PME were greater when participants viewed pride-themed messages versus wellness (p= .03) or harms messages (p = .01). The findings suggest that socially branded EC prevention messages emphasizing sexual minoritized identity may be more effective for SMW with a strong connection to their LBQ identity. Future research should examine how identity and socially branded messages can impact health behaviors.

Tailored Mobile Messaging Intervention for Waterpipe Tobacco Cessation in Young Adults: A Randomized Trial.

Objectives. To test a tailored mobile health (i.e., mHealth) intervention for waterpipe tobacco cessation in young adults. Methods. From 2018 to 2020 at 2 US sites, we conducted a randomized trial with 349 waterpipe tobacco smokers aged 18 to 30 years randomized to control (no intervention), untailored, or tailored intervention arms. Intervention arms received a 6-week mHealth intervention conveying risks of waterpipe tobacco through text and images and strategies to enhance motivation and support quitting. The tailored intervention was personalized to baseline measures and intervention text message responses. Risk appraisals, motivation to quit, waterpipe smoking frequency, and cessation were assessed at 6 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Results. At 6 months, cessation was higher in the tailored (49%) than the control arm (29%; odds ratio = 2.4; 95% confidence interval = 1.3, 4.2) and smoking frequency was lower in the tailored (mean = 3.5 days) than the control arm (mean = 4.3 days; P = .006). At interim follow-ups, significant differences in other outcomes favored the tailored intervention. Conclusions. Tailored mobile messaging can help young adult waterpipe tobacco smokers quit. This scalable intervention is poised for population implementation.

Associated Changes in E-cigarette Puff Duration and Cigarettes Smoked per Day.

INTRODUCTION: To examine whether changes in select measures of e-cigarette puffing topography are associated with changes in smoking behavior. METHODS: Sixteen current cigarette smokers were instructed to completely switch from smoking combustible cigarettes to using e-cigarettes over a 2-week period. The study was completed in the Southern Midwestern region of the United States. Measures included demographics, smoking history, and cigarette dependence, as well as baseline and 2-week follow-up self-reported cigarettes per day, cigarette craving and urges, exhaled carbon monoxide readings, and e-cigarette usage data (puff number, puffing time, and average puff duration) collected via the e-cigarette built-in puff counter. RESULTS: Over the 2-week switching period, participants significantly reduced their cigarettes per day (~80% reduction, p < .0001). Although the number of e-cigarette puffs/day remained relatively stable (p > .05), the average total e-cigarette daily puffing time increased significantly (p = .001). Users' average puff duration increased by 91 ms/puff/d (p < .001). The percentage decrease in cigarettes smoked per day was significantly and directly related to the slope of subjects' average puff duration over time (r(13) = .62, p = .01), such that as cigarettes per day decreased, puff duration increased. Self-reported smoking urges remained relatively stable from baseline to the end of the 2-week period (p > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Among smokers switching to an e-cigarette, greater increases in e-cigarette puff duration was associated with greater reductions in cigarette smoking. IMPLICATIONS: The current study is one of the first to examine changes in smokers' e-cigarette puffing behavior and associated changes in cigarette consumption as they attempt to completely switch to e-cigarettes. During a 2-week switching period, participants reduced their cigarettes per day. Moreover, although e-cigarette puffs per day remained relatively stable, users' average puff duration increased significantly. Greater increases in e-cigarette puff duration were associated with greater reductions in cigarette smoking. Understanding how to effectively use an e-cigarette to best reduce and eventually quit smoking will be necessary as smokers increasingly turn to these products to facilitate possible cessation.

Vape Shop Owners/Managers' Opinions About FDA Regulation of E-Cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION: In the United States, prominent sources of vaping products are specialty vape shops, which are subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation. This study interviewed vape shop owners/managers to assess: (1) reasons for entering into or engaging in vape shop retail; (2) personnel training, particularly with regard to FDA and state regulations; and (3) how existing regulations are perceived and the anticipated impact of future regulation. AIMS AND METHODS: The current study involved phone-based semi-structured interviews of 45 vape shop owners/managers in six metropolitan statistical areas (Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, San Diego, and Seattle) during Summer 2018 as FDA regulations regarding minimum age verification, bans on product sampling, and health warnings (among others) were first being implemented. RESULTS: Vape shop owners/managers reported: (1) entering the industry with positive intentions for their customers, (2) training their personnel to adhere to regulations and provide good customer service, and (3) significant concerns about the impact of FDA regulations. With regard to the latter, participants reported mistrust of the intentions of the FDA regulations, financial implications of the regulations (particularly for small businesses), difficulty understanding and interpreting the regulations, insufficient evidence to support the regulations, negative impact on customer service, negative impact on product offerings and product innovation/advancement, and negative implications of flavor bans and/or restrictions on sale of flavors. CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate the complexities in implementing tobacco regulations, particularly from the perspective of the vape shop industry. Current findings should inform future regulatory actions and efforts to assess compliance with regulations. IMPLICATIONS: Current and impending FDA regulation of vaping products present a critical period for examining regulatory impact on the vape shop industry. Current results indicated that many vape shop owners/managers reporting positive intentions for engaging in the vaping product industry and in training vape shop personnel to adhere to regulations. However, the majority reported concerns about FDA regulation and other state/local regulations that could have negative implications for their industry. Particular concerns include difficulty understanding the regulations due to complexity, vagueness, and changes in language and/or interpretation over time. These issues have implications for compliance that must be addressed.

Exploring the Point-of-Sale Among Vape Shops Across the United States: Audits Integrating a Mystery Shopper Approach.

INTRODUCTION: Vape shops represent prominent, unique retailers, subject to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulation in the United States. AIMS AND METHODS: This study assessed compliance of US vape shop retail marketing strategies with new regulations (eg, required age verification, prohibited free samples) and pre-implementation conditions for other regulations (eg, health warning labels on all nicotine products, required disclosures of e-liquid contents). RESULTS: 95.0% of shops displayed minimum-age signage; however, mystery shoppers were asked for age verification at 35.6% upon entry and at 23.4% upon purchase. Although 85.5% of shops had some evidence of implementing FDA health warnings, 29.1% had signage indicating prohibited health claims, 16.3% offered free e-liquid samples, 27.4% had signage with cartoon imagery, and 33.3% were within two blocks of schools. All shops sold open-system devices, 64.8% sold closed-system devices, 68.2% sold their own brand of e-liquids, 42.5% sold e-liquids containing cannabidiol, 83.2% offered price promotions of some kind, and 89.9% had signage for product and price promotions. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicated that most shops complied with some implementation of FDA health warnings and with free sampling bans and minimum-age signage. Other findings indicated concerns related to underage access, health claims, promotional strategies, and cannabidiol product offerings, which call for further FDA and state regulatory/enforcement efforts.

Vape shop and consumer activity during COVID-19 non-essential business closures in the USA.

INTRODUCTION: Vaping and vape shops pose risk for COVID-19 and its transmission. OBJECTIVES: We examined vape shop non-compliance with state-ordered business closures during COVID-19, changes in their marketing and experiences among consumers. METHODS: As part of a longitudinal study of vape retail in six metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs; Atlanta, Boston, Minneapolis, Oklahoma City, San Diego and Seattle), we conducted: (1) legal research to determine whether statewide COVID-19 orders required vape shops to close; (2) phone-based and web-based surveillance to assess vape shop activity in March-June 2020 during shelter-in-place periods; and (3) a concurrent online survey of e-cigarette users about their experiences with vape retail. RESULTS: Non-essential business closure varied in timing/duration across states and applied to vape shops in California, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Oklahoma (for a brief period) and Washington (Georgia's orders were ambiguous). Surveillance analysis focused on the five MSAs in these states. Of 156 vape shops, 53.2% were open as usual, 11.5% permanently closed and 3.8% temporarily closed; 31.4% offered pick-up/delivery services. Among survey respondents (n=354, M age =23.9±4.6; 46.9% male, 71.8% white, 13.0% Hispanic), 27.4% worried their vape shop would close/go out of business during COVID-19; 7.3% said their vape shop did so. Few noticed increases in vape product delivery options (7.3%), discounts/price promotions (9.9%) and/or prices (9.3%). While 20.3% stockpiled vape products, 20.3% tried to reduce use and 15.8% tried to quit. CONCLUSIONS: Many vape shops were non-compliant with state COVID-19 orders. E-cigarette users were as likely to stockpile vape products as to attempt to reduce or quit using e-cigarettes.