Tobacco regulatory science 

About: Tobacco regulatory science is an academic journal published by Tobacco Regulatory Science Group. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Nicotine & Tobacco control. It has an ISSN identifier of 2333-9748. Over the lifetime, 249 publications have been published receiving 3363 citations. The journal is also known as: Tob Regul Sci.

Youth-Targeted E-cigarette Marketing in the US.

Abstract: OBJECTIVES The purpose of this project was to explore the extent to which e-cigarette advertisements use youth-appealing content. METHODS A sample of e-cigarette video ads (N = 154) were coded by 3 independent coders using the content appealing to youth (CAY) index, which measures over 40 youth-appealing features. To calculate a total CAY score for each ad, scores were normalized and summed such that a higher score represented the presence of more youth-appealing elements. RESULTS All ads included some youth-appealing content, with frequent use of emotional appeals, including happiness (68%), friendship (41%), sex (24%), and success (24%). Over half featured animation. However, product appeals, known to be disliked by youth, were also prevalent. Eighty-seven percent used a direct appeal to e-cigarettes' value over tobacco cigarettes; 66% mentioned product composition; and 40% mentioned health. CONCLUSIONS Given the unregulated context in the US, e-cigarette marketing currently contains many features that may be particularly appealing to youth.

Changes in the Mass-merchandise Cigar Market since the Tobacco Control Act.

Abstract: Objectives This study identifies the specific product characteristics driving mass-merchandise cigar sales in the context of the changing regulatory environment. Methods Cigar sales data in US convenience stores during 2008-2015 were purchased from Nielsen's Convenience Track system. Descriptive statistics highlight changes in the cigar market over time. Results Sales of flavored cigars increased by nearly 50% since 2008 and now make up over half of the cigar market. Fruit remains the most popular flavor group, but the sale of non-descript flavors such as "Jazz" and "Green" has grown substantially. Inexpensive 2- and 3-packs made up less than 1% of cigar sales in 2008, but by 2015 this packaging style held 40% of the market share. Black & Mild and Swisher Sweets dominate the convenience store channel and together are responsible for nearly 60% of total mass-merchandise cigar sales. Conclusions Cigar companies take advantage of features recently banned for cigarettes, such as flavorings and small pack sizes to maintain strong sales. Given the appeal of mass-merchandise cigars to youth and young adults, the FDA and other governing bodies should regulate the manufacturing and promotion of cigars in the same way they have regulated cigarettes.

Flavored Tobacco Product Use among Youth and Young Adults: What if Flavors Didn't Exist?

Abstract: Objective We aimed to determine the potential for reductions in the prevalence of young people's e-cigarette and tobacco use if characterizing flavors were not present. Methods Two parallel cross-sectional surveys of 2483 youth (TATAMS: Texas Adolescent Tobacco and Marketing Surveillance System) and 4326 young adults (M-PACT: Marketing and Promotions across Colleges in Texas) in Texas (Houston, Dallas/Ft. Worth, San Antonio, Austin). Current use of e-cigarettes and other tobacco (cigarettes, cigar products, hookah, smokeless tobacco). Users were asked: "When you use [product], do you usually use any of the following flavors?" Flavored product users were asked: "Would you continue using [product] if it were not flavored?" Results Over 80% of youth and young adult tobacco users reported using flavored tobacco. Three-fourths of flavored product users said they would no longer use the product if it was not flavored. This was highest for e-cigarettes and hookah and lowest for cigarettes. Few demographic differences in findings were observed. Conclusions Restricting flavors in tobacco products would not eradicate e-cigarette or other tobacco use among young people, but the potential for substantial reductions in the prevalence of young people's e-cigarette and other tobacco use seems high if flavors were removed.

Nicotine Delivery and Vaping Behavior During ad Libitum E-cigarette Access.

Abstract: Author(s): St Helen, Gideon; Ross, Kathryn C; Dempsey, Delia A; Havel, Christopher M; Jacob, Peyton; Benowitz, Neal L | Abstract: ObjectiveTo characterize vaping behavior and nicotine intake during ad libitum e-cigarette access.MethodsThirteen adult e-cigarette users had 90 minutes of videotaped ad libitum access to their usual e-cigarette. Plasma nicotine was measured before and every 15 minutes after the first puff; subjective effects were measured before and after the session.ResultsAverage puff duration and interpuff interval were 3.5±1.4 seconds (±SD) and 118±141 seconds, respectively. 12% of puffs were unclustered puffs while 43%, 28%, and 17% were clustered in groups of 2-5, 6-10, and g10 puffs, respectively. On average, 4.0±3.3 mg of nicotine was inhaled; the maximum plasma nicotine concentration (Cmax) was 12.8±8.5 ng/mL. Among the 8 tank users, number of puffs was positively correlated with amount of nicotine inhaled, Cmax, and area under the plasma nicotine concentration-time curve (AUC0→90min) while interpuff interval was negatively correlated with Cmax and AUC0→90.ConclusionVaping patterns differ from cigarette smoking. Plasma nicotine levels were consistent with intermittent dosing of nicotine from e-cigarettes compared to the more bolus dosing from cigarettes. Differences in delivery patterns and peak levels of nicotine achieved could influence the addictiveness of e-cigarettes compared to conventional cigarettes.

JUUL and Combusted Cigarettes Comparably Impair Endothelial Function.

Abstract: Author(s): Rao, Poonam; Liu, Jiangtao; Springer, Matthew | Abstract: ABSTRACT Objectives JUUL and earlier generation electronic cigarettes (e-cigs) are promoted as being less hazardous than cigarettes. While JUUL Labs, in particular, claims that switching from smoking to vaping has beneficial impacts, the health effects of such products are not well understood. We investigated whether exposure to JUUL and previous generation e-cig aerosol impairs endothelial function comparably to cigarette smoke. Methods We exposed rats to aerosol from Virginia Tobacco flavor JUUL, an e-cig tank system using unflavored freebase nicotine e-liquid, Marlboro Red combustible tobacco cigarettes, or clean air for 10 cycles of 2 second inhalation over 5 minutes. Endothelial function (FMD) was measured pre- and post-exposure. Blood was collected 20 mins post-exposure for serum nicotine analysis. Results Aerosol/smoke from JUUL, previous generation e-cigs, and cigarettes all impaired FMD. The extent of impairment ranged from 34%-58%, although the differences between groups were insignificant. Nicotine was highest in serum from the JUUL group; for the other e-cig and cigarette groups, nicotine levels were lower and comparable to each other. Conclusions Aerosol from JUUL and previous generation e-cigs impairs endothelial function in rats, comparable to impairment by cigarette smoke.