UCSF

Aim

To describe systemic nicotine exposure and subjective effects of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) in people who use both e-cigarettes and cigarettes (dual users), including within-subject comparisons of e-cigarette and cigarette use.

Design

Two-arm, counterbalanced cross-over study. Participants used their usual brand of e-cigarette or cigarette during a standardized session in a 2-week study.

Setting

Hospital research ward, San Francisco, CA, USA.

Participants

Thirty-six healthy (eight women, 28 men) participants.

Measurements

Plasma nicotine was analyzed by gas chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry; nicotine withdrawal, urge to smoke and vape, affective states, craving, satisfaction and psychological reward were measured by standardized questionnaires.

Findings

Compared with cigarettes, average maximum plasma nicotine concentration (C_max ) was lower with e-cigarettes [6.1 ± 5.5 ng/ml, mean ± standard deviation (SD) versus 20.2 ± 11.1 ng/ml, P < 0.001] and time of maximal concentration (T_max ) was longer (6.5 ± 5.4 versus 2.7 ± 2.4 minutes, P < 0.001). Use of both products resulted in a reduction in the severity of withdrawal symptoms, negative affect and urge to use either product. E-cigarettes were less rewarding and satisfying and reduced craving to a lesser degree than cigarettes. We were not able to detect any differences in withdrawal symptoms, affective states and urge to smoke cigarettes between e-cigarette and cigarette use.

Conclusion

Systemic nicotine exposure was, on average, lower with single use of e-cigarettes compared with cigarettes, and e-cigarettes were judged to be less satisfying and rewarding and reduced craving less than cigarettes.