1. Is Maintenance or Switching Between Freebase and Nicotine Salt Liquid Associated with Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems Dependence?
- Author
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Nian Q, Hardesty JJ, Crespi E, Sinamo J, Kennedy RD, Welding K, and Cohen JE
- Subjects
- Adult, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Young Adult, Analysis of Variance, Ex-Smokers, Longitudinal Studies, Self Report, Smokers, United States, Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems, Nicotine administration & dosage, Nicotine adverse effects, Nicotine chemistry, Tobacco Use Disorder etiology, Vaping adverse effects
- Abstract
Background: Electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) use one of two formulations of nicotine-freebase or nicotine salt. This study examines whether maintenance or switching between nicotine formulations is associated with ENDS dependence using longitudinal survey data., Methods: 543 U.S. adults (21+) using ENDS frequently (5+ days/week) self-reported and uploaded photos of their most used ENDS liquids in wave 3-5 online surveys from September 2021 to April 2023. Nicotine formulation from photo data was used if available; otherwise, self-reported data were used. ENDS dependence was measured in each wave by a 4-item E-cigarette Dependence Scale (EDS: range 0-4, 4 being most dependent). Data were analyzed using ANCOVA., Results: Participants using nicotine salt liquids in three waves reported the highest EDS in wave 5 (49.3%, EDS = 2.59), followed by participants switching from salt to freebase (3.2%, EDS = 2.58), participants switching from freebase to salt (10.1%, EDS = 2.52), participants using freebase in three waves (34.9%, EDS = 2.18), and participants changing back and forth (2.4%, EDS = 2.11). After controlling for smoking status, participants stably using nicotine salt and participants switching from freebase to salt reported significantly higher EDS than those stably using freebase ( p < 0.01)., Conclusions: Over an 18-month period, people consistently using nicotine salt liquids and participants switching from freebase to nicotine salt were more likely to have a higher ENDS dependence than those consistently using freebase liquids. Understanding how switching between nicotine formulations relates to ENDS dependence can inform nicotine formulation and concentration regulations that may impact addiction.
- Published
- 2024
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