Appeal and Sensory Characteristics of Oral Nicotine Products in Young Adults Who Vape E-Cigarettes.

INTRODUCTION

This study applied a novel tobacco regulatory science paradigm to characterize inter-product variation in the appeal and sensory features of emerging commercial and therapeutic oral nicotine products (ONPs) among young adults that vape e-cigarettes.

METHODS

Twenty-three young adults without ONP experience who use e-cigarettes completed a single-blind, single-visit remote lab study. Participants rated appeal and sensory characteristics during 5-minute standardized self-administrations of 8 ONPs (4 fruit, 4 mint) from various brands (Lucy, Rouge, Solace, Nicorette, On!, Velo). Participants were randomized between-subjects to ONP type (pouches or gum).

RESULTS

Gum ONPs were rated sweeter (B = 19.5, 95% CI = 4.3, 34.7), stronger in flavor (B = 25.6, 95% CI = 12.2, 39.0), and lower in tingling sensation (B = -14.0, 95% CI = -27.8, -0.2) than pouches. Fruit-flavored ONPs were sweeter (B = 12.9, 95% CI = 6.1, 19.7) and caused less burning (B = -12.0, 95% CI = -19.5, -4.5) than mint. Product type x flavor interactions found that gum vs. pouch enhanced sweetness and flavor strength more for fruit than mint, while pouch vs. gum increased burning and harshness more for mint. Nicorette White Ice was most appealing, while Rogue Fruit and Nicorette Mint were less so. Appeal correlated with most types of sensory experiences (rs = -.33-.54), except for tingling and burning.

CONCLUSIONS

Nicotine gums may offer a more pleasant sensory experience than pouches for young adults who use e-cigarettes, with variation across brand/flavor variants.

IMPLICATIONS

Results indicate that gum ONPs and fruit flavors may offer greater appeal and a more pleasant sensory experience than pouch ONPs and mint flavors for young adults who use e-cigarettes and are ONP-naïve, with heterogeneity in user experience across some brand/flavor variants. This study also introduces a method for assessing the appeal and sensory features of ONPs, which can inform regulatory efforts and strategies to reduce nicotine dependence among young adults who use e-cigarettes.