Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ria A. Goros, Xiaojie Xu, Guangle Li, Yi Y. Zuo
Summary: The attractiveness and variety of flavors in e-cigarettes attract young people to use them. However, studies have shown that the flavoring chemicals in e-cigarettes can have adverse effects on the function of pulmonary surfactants. This study used a new method called constrained drop surfactometry to investigate the biophysical impact of flavored e-cigarette aerosols on natural pulmonary surfactants. The results showed that different flavors of e-cigarette aerosols have a flavor-dependent inhibitory effect on the properties of pulmonary surfactants. A qualitative phase diagram was proposed to predict the potential hazards of different flavoring chemicals.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Danielle R. Davis, Meghan E. Morean, Krysten W. Bold, Deepa Camenga, Grace Kong, Asti Jackson, Patricia Simon, Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin
Summary: This study examined the use of flavors that produce cooling sensations among youth and found that vaping cooling flavors was associated with greater nicotine vaping and frequency of e-cigarette use.
Letter
Medicine, General & Internal
Sairam V. Jabba, Hanno C. Erythropel, Paul T. Anastas, Julie B. Zimmerman, Sven E. Jordt
Summary: This study utilizes a bioassay and chemical analysis to examine the percentage of newly introduced non-menthol cigarette brands that possess sensory cooling effects, cooling agents, and other flavor additives following bans on menthol cigarettes.
JAMA-JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Michael Kotlyar, Ryan Shanley, Sheena R. Dufresne, Gretchen A. Corcoran, Dorothy K. Hatsukami
Summary: This pilot study examined the impact of restricting menthol cigarettes on current menthol smokers. It found that abstaining from menthol cigarettes led to lower smoking rates and levels of exhaled CO. Participants who abstained also reported higher motivation to quit and perceived effectiveness of quitting skills. The flavor of e-cigarettes provided did not significantly affect smoking behavior or CO levels. These findings suggest that banning menthol flavor in combustible cigarettes could enhance the harm reduction potential of e-cigarettes.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Caitlin Jenkins, Jody Morgan, Celine Kelso
Summary: E-cigarettes are increasingly popular in Australia, but the inclusion of synthetic cooling agents WS-3 and WS-23 is not well known. This study found that these synthetic coolants are commonly added in disposable e-cigarettes, while rarely found in bottled e-liquids. These findings are important for evaluating the safety of these products.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Janet Audrain-McGovern, Daniel Rodriguez, Stephen Pianin, Shannon Testa
Summary: The study identified four different developmental pathways among adolescents: some adolescents start using e-cigarettes with a delay but quickly, some adolescents use e-cigarettes steadily from the beginning, some adolescents use both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes, and some adolescents do not use e-cigarettes or traditional cigarettes. The findings also revealed that adolescents who were dual users had a greater number and severity of e-cigarette and combustible cigarette risk factors.
Article
Substance Abuse
Sairam Jabba, Hanno C. Erythropel, Deyri Garcia Torres, Lauren A. Delgado, Jackson G. Woodrow, Paul T. Anastas, Julie B. Zimmerman, Sven-Eric Jordt
Summary: Synthetic cooling agents are commonly found in US-marketed E-cigarettes and may result in consumer exposures exceeding safety thresholds set by regulatory agencies. These agents are not only present in mint- or menthol-flavored products, but also in fruit- and candy-flavored products, including popular disposable E-cigarette products like Puffbar. Regulators should consider the additional health risks associated with exposure to synthetic cooling agents.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Devin M. McCauley, Shivani Mathur Gaiha, Lauren Kass Lempert, Bonnie Halpern-Felsher
Summary: This study assessed the use of e-cigarette devices and flavors among adolescents, young adults, and adults, revealing differences in usage patterns and flavor preferences across age groups. Findings suggest that current e-cigarette use among adolescents and young adults may be higher than previously reported.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Alayna P. Tackett, Hongying Daisy Dai, Dae-Hee Han, Erin A. Vogel, Saida I. Coreas, Nikki Jafarzadeh, Maria J. Gonzalez Anaya, Devaki Patel, Natalia Peraza, Tyler B. Mason, Adam M. Leventhal
Summary: Research on the appeal of flavored e-cigarette solutions shows that adults who have never smoked, former smokers, and current smokers who vape are more attracted to non-tobacco flavors. However, adults who currently smoke but have never tried e-cigarettes do not find tobacco flavors particularly appealing.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2023)
Article
Substance Abuse
Krysten W. Bold, Eugenia Buta, Patricia Simon, Ralitza Gueorguieva, Asti Jackson, Sakinah C. Suttiratana, Suchitra Krishnan-Sarin, Stephanie S. O'Malley
Summary: This study examines the effect of race/ethnicity on the preference for e-cigarette flavors and reasons for use among adult smokers. The results show that individuals who smoke menthol cigarettes are more likely to use menthol-flavored e-cigarettes, while non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic individuals have lower odds of using e-cigarettes. In addition, older adults are less likely to use sweet-flavored e-cigarettes. Adults who smoke menthol cigarettes are more likely to enjoy the flavors of e-cigarettes, while non-Hispanic Black adults have lower odds of liking flavors, and Hispanic adults have lower odds of using e-cigarettes to cut down on cigarette smoking.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Tyler B. Mason, Adam M. Leventhal
Summary: The study suggests that menthol-flavored e-cigarettes may be more appealing to individuals with overweight or obesity compared to those with normal weight, while the differences in perceived appeal between fruit and tobacco-flavored e-cigarettes were not significant based on weight status.
SUBSTANCE USE & MISUSE
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Felix Effah, Benjamin Taiwo, Deborah Baines, Alexis Bailey, Tim Marczylo
Summary: Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are considered to be safer than smoking, but the safety profile of flavoring ingredients in ECs is unclear. In vitro studies have shown that cinnamon, strawberry, and menthol flavors have greater detrimental effects compared to other flavors, including perturbations of pro-inflammatory biomarkers and enhanced cytotoxicity. There is sufficient evidence to support the toxicological impacts of diacetyl- and cinnamaldehyde-containing e-liquids following inhalation, but the safety profiles of other flavors are elusive.
JOURNAL OF TOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH-PART B-CRITICAL REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Jennifer M. Kreslake, Katie M. O'Connor, Daniel Stephens, Donna M. Vallone, Elizabeth C. Hair
Summary: This study explores the usage and sensory perceptions of blended and concept flavors among young e-cigarette users. The majority of users reported using products with blended descriptors and described them as fruity, sweet, and cooling. These findings can inform public health interventions aimed at reducing e-cigarette use among young people.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Cassandra A. Stanton, Keryn E. Pasch, Irene Pericot-Valverde, Raul Cruz-Cano, Meghan B. Moran, Melissa H. Abadi, Darren Mays, Melissa Mercincavage, Zhiqun Tang, Julia Chen-Sankey
Summary: This study examined the association between youth e-cigarette marketing exposure and e-cigarette use behavior change one year later, and found that recalled exposure to e-cigarette marketing was associated with reduced harm perceptions and various stages of e-cigarette use.
PREVENTIVE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Economics
Hyunchul Kim, Dongwon Lee
Summary: This study examines the impact of cigarette taxes on mentholous products on different races using Nielsen Homescan data. The results show that black smokers of menthol cigarettes are subjected to lower tax pass-through rates compared to other smokers. One possible explanation is that the industry targets price promotions to black menthol smokers as they tend to be more responsive to cigarette prices. Additionally, black smokers receive significantly more price discounts for menthol products than white smokers. Therefore, increasing cigarette taxes would effectively reduce menthol smoking among black Americans.
JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS
(2023)
Article
Allergy
Alayna P. Tackett, Michael Farrow, Sheryl J. Kopel, Maria T. Coutinho, Daphne Koinis-Mitchell, Elizabeth L. McQuaid
Summary: Racial/ethnic disparities were found in asthma management, with lower levels of asthma knowledge, family-provider collaboration, and medication adherence among Black/African-American families. The relationship between medication concerns and adherence varied across ethnic groups. Further research is needed to explore cultural factors influencing family-provider relationships and health behaviors.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Alayna P. Tackett, Emily T. Hebert, Caitlin E. Smith, Samantha W. Wallace, Jessica L. Barrington-Trimis, Jordan E. Norris, William Lechner, Elise M. Stevens, Theodore L. Wagener
Summary: The study found that adolescents using JUUL and Pod Mod devices experienced more nicotine dependence symptoms compared to those using other types of e-cigarette devices. This suggests that features of e-cigarette devices may impact the level of nicotine dependence among youth.
ADDICTIVE BEHAVIORS
(2021)
Article
Substance Abuse
Natalia Peraza, Mariel S. Bello, Sara J. Schiff, Junhan Cho, Yi Zhang, Carly Callahan, Alayna Tackett, Adam M. Leventhal
Summary: The study indicated that in tobacco deprived smokers' initial vaping experience, the use of pod-style e-cigarettes with 0.5% NicFreebase or 2.8% NicSalt may not be as effective as cigarettes in improving mood, delivering nicotine, suppressing smoking motivation, and providing a satisfying user experience. Further research is needed to explore pod-style e-cigarettes with higher nicotine doses and to confirm whether NicFreebase vs. NicSalt enhances nicotine absorption.
DRUG AND ALCOHOL DEPENDENCE
(2021)
Article
Critical Care Medicine
Wubin Xie, Alayna P. Tackett, Jonathan B. Berlowitz, Alyssa F. Harlow, Hasmeena Kathuria, Panagis Galiatsatos, Jessica L. Fetterman, Junhan Cho, Michael J. Blaha, Naomi M. Hamburg, Rose Marie Robertson, Andrew P. DeFilippis, Michael E. Hall, Aruni Bhatnagar, Emelia J. Benjamin, Andrew C. Stokes
Summary: Electronic cigarette use is associated with the development of wheezing-related respiratory symptoms in young adults, regardless of combustible cigarette smoking.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF RESPIRATORY AND CRITICAL CARE MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Biological
Marissa K. Anderson, Lauren Whitted, Tyler B. Mason, Raina D. Pang, Alayna P. Tackett, Adam M. Leventhal
Summary: This study aimed to characterize the appeal and sensory attributes of different flavored e-cigarettes using both user-reported ratings and chemical analysis. The results showed that the sensory attributes of flavors were consistent with their marketed descriptors, and flavors with higher appeal ratings tended to be sweeter, smoother, cooler, and less bitter and harsh. Chemical analysis found numerous flavoring constituents without clear differentiation among different flavor categories. The study suggests that subjective sensory attributes can be useful in characterizing e-cigarette flavors for future research and regulation.
EXPERIMENTAL AND CLINICAL PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Substance Abuse
Alayna P. Tackett, Jessica L. Barrington-Trimis, Adam M. Leventhal
Editorial Material
Toxicology
Alayna P. Tackett, Meghan E. Rebuli
TOXICOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin A. Vogel, Jessica L. Barrington-Trimis, Afton Kechter, Alayna P. Tackett, Fei Liu, Steve Sussman, Caryn Lerman, Jennifer B. Unger, Chanita Hughes Halbert, Benjamin W. Chaffee, Adam M. Leventhal
Summary: Oral nicotine pouches may attract young adult nicotine/tobacco users interested in alternative nicotine forms without pulmonary exposure, as well as young adult non-users. Participants who had never used nicotine pouches showed higher willingness to use pouches among non-combustible only, combustible only, and dual users compared to non-users. However, most participants were uncertain about the relative harm of pouches.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Substance Abuse
Dae-Hee Han, Melissa Wong, Natalia Peraza, Erin A. Vogel, Rael Cahn, Tyler B. Mason, Matthew Kirkpatrick, Alayna P. Tackett, Adam M. Leventhal
Summary: This clinical experiment investigated the effects of two nicotine salt formulations (nicotine lactate and benzoate) versus free base nicotine on the appeal and sensory attributes of e-cigarettes. The results showed that the nicotine salt formulations had higher appeal, smoothness, and sweetness, and lower harshness and bitterness compared to free base nicotine. Higher concentrations of nicotine salt improved various sensory attributes. Solutions with higher pH had worse appeal and sensory attributes. The findings suggest that regulations for e-cigarettes should consider restricting acid additives or setting minimal pH values.
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Erin A. Vogel, Meghan E. Rebuli, Melissa Wong, Adam Leventhal, John Monterosso, Alayna P. Tackett
Summary: Remote research procedures for studying tobacco use can be feasible and acceptable, allowing for more diverse samples and generalizable research results.
Article
Substance Abuse
Alayna P. Tackett, Dae Hee Han, Natalia Peraza, Reid C. Whaley, Tyler Mason, Rael Cahn, Kurt Hong, Raina Pang, John Monterosso, Michelle K. Page, Maciej Lukasz Goniewicz, Adam M. Leventhal
Summary: This clinical experiment tested the effects of adding WS-23 or menthol cooling additives to e-cigarettes on user appeal and sensory attributes. The results show that adding WS-23 to e-cigarettes increases liking and willingness to use again, while reducing disliking and bitterness. The effects of the coolant did not differ based on base flavor, nicotine concentration, or tobacco use status.
Article
Substance Abuse
Adam M. Leventhal, Hongying Dai, Jessica L. Barrington-Trimis, Alayna P. Tackett, Eric R. Pedersen, Denise D. Tran
Summary: This study examines the use of disposable e-cigarettes among young adults and finds that it is prevalent, including among non-smokers and former smokers. Regulatory policies should be considered to address disposable e-cigarettes, especially ice-flavored products, for the health of young adults.
NICOTINE & TOBACCO RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alayna P. Tackett, Samantha W. Wallace, Caitlin E. Smith, Elise Turner, David A. Fedele, Irina Stepanov, William Lechner, Jessica J. Hale, Theodore L. Wagener
Summary: Caregivers had consistent perceptions of cigarettes but varied perceptions of e-cigarettes. Children of e-cigarette users were more likely to be exposed to secondhand vapor. Children of cigarette users had higher levels of nicotine exposure, similar to those living with e-cigarette users.
TOBACCO USE INSIGHTS
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Alayna P. Tackett, Brittney Keller-Hamilton, Emily T. Hebert, Caitlin E. Smith, Samantha W. Wallace, Elise M. Stevens, Amanda L. Johnson, Theodore L. Wagener
Summary: The study found that perceptions of harm and ease of tobacco product purchase were significantly related to higher odds of e-cigarette susceptibility among adolescents in middle and high schools in the United States in 2018. Other demographic factors were also found to play a role in e-cigarette susceptibility. Longitudinal data is needed to further assess predictors of e-cigarette use initiation.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH PROMOTION
(2021)
