Abstract
Results of an observational, descriptive study quantifying topography characteristics of twenty first generation electronic nicotine delivery system users in their natural environment for a one week observation period are presented. The study quantifies inter-participant variation in puffing topography between users and the intra-participant variation for each user observed during one week of use in their natural environment. Puff topography characteristics presented for each user include mean puff duration, flow rate and volume for each participant, along with descriptive statistics of each quantity. Exposure characteristics including the number of vaping sessions, total number of puffs and cumulative volume of aerosol generated from ENDS use (e-liquid aerosol) are reported for each participant for a one week exposure period and an effective daily average exposure. Significant inter-participant and intra-participant variation in puff topography was observed. The observed range of natural use environment characteristics is used to propose a set of topography protocols for use as command inputs to drive machine-puffed electronic nicotine delivery systems in a controlled laboratory environment.
Highlights
Background and RationaleElectronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) sales, marketing and use have proliferated in the United States and globally since their introduction into the marketplace
The current study aims to enhance current understanding of ENDS puffing topography and use behavior as described by puff duration, puff volume and puff flow rate, and cumulative exposure to aerosol generated from ENDS use (e-liquid aerosol)
Might be dependent upon both puffing topography itself as well as the significant heterogeneity observed between individual participants suggests that it would be advantageous to utilize puffing protocols that encompass the range of user behaviors found in the natural environment
Summary
Background and RationaleElectronic Nicotine Delivery Systems (ENDS) sales, marketing and use have proliferated in the United States and globally since their introduction into the marketplace. ENDS are reported as the most commonly used tobacco product among youth in the U.S [1], suggesting that these products will become increasingly prevalent. This is of concern because scientists have not yet determined the potential harms or benefits ENDS may have on both individual-level and PLOS ONE | DOI:10.1371/journal.pone.0164038. RTI International and Rochester Institute of Technology are both funders and authors of this manuscript. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript
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