Self-reported smoking effects and comparative value between cigarettes and high dose e-cigarettes in nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers

Behav Pharmacol. 2016 Apr;27(2-3 Spec Issue):301-7. doi: 10.1097/FBP.0000000000000226.

Abstract

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the comparative value of cigarettes versus high dose e-cigarettes among nicotine-dependent cigarette smokers when compared with money or use of their usual cigarette brand. The experiment used a within-subject design with four sessions. After baseline assessment, participants attended two 15-min unrestricted smoking sessions: one cigarette smoking session and one e-cigarette smoking session. Participants then attended two multiple-choice procedure (MCP) sessions: a session comparing cigarettes and money and a session comparing e-cigarettes and money. Participants (n=27) had used cigarettes regularly, had never used e-cigarettes, and were not currently attempting to quit smoking. The sample consisted primarily of males (72%), with a mean age of 34 years. When given the opportunity to choose between smoking a cigarette or an e-cigarette, participants chose the cigarette 73.9% of the time. Findings from the MCP demonstrated that after the first e-cigarette exposure sessions, the crossover value for cigarettes ($3.45) was significantly higher compared with the crossover value for e-cigarettes ($2.73). The higher participant preference, self-reported smoking effects, and higher MCP crossover points indicate that cigarettes have a higher comparative value than high dose e-cigarettes among e-cigarette naive smokers.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Carbon Monoxide / metabolism
  • Choice Behavior / physiology*
  • Cross-Over Studies
  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / economics
  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems / methods*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Saliva / metabolism
  • Self Report*
  • Smoking Cessation / methods
  • Statistics, Nonparametric
  • Tobacco Products* / economics
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / economics
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / psychology
  • Tobacco Use Disorder / therapy*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Carbon Monoxide