Studying the interactive effects of menthol and nicotine among youth: An examination using e-cigarettes

Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017 Nov 1:180:193-199. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2017.07.044. Epub 2017 Aug 31.

Abstract

Background: Tobacco products containing menthol are widely used by youth. We used e-cigarettes to conduct an experimental evaluation of the independent and interactive effects of menthol and nicotine among youth.

Procedures: Pilot chemosensory experiments with fourteen e-cigarette users identified low (barely perceptible, 0.5%) and high (similar to commercial e-liquid, 3.5%) menthol concentrations. Sixty e-cigarette users were randomized to a nicotine concentration (0mg/ml, 6mg/ml, 12mg/ml) and participated in 3 laboratory sessions. During each session, they received their assigned nicotine concentration, along with one of three menthol concentrations in random counterbalanced order across sessions (0, 0.5%, 3.5%), and participated in three fixed-dose, and an ad-lib, puffing period. Urinary menthol glucuronide and salivary nicotine levels validated menthol and nicotine exposure. We examined changes in e-cigarette liking/wanting and taste, coolness, stimulant effects, nicotine withdrawal and ad-lib use.

Results: Overall, the high concentration of menthol (3.5%) significantly increased e-cigarette liking/wanting relative to no menthol (p<0.001); there was marginal evidence of nicotine* menthol interactions (p=0.06), with an increase in liking/wanting when 3.5% menthol was combined with 12mg/ml nicotine, but not 6mg/ml nicotine. Importantly, both 0.5% and 3.5% menthol concentrations significantly improved taste and increased coolness. We did not observe nicotine or menthol-related changes in stimulant effects, nicotine withdrawal symptoms or ad-lib use.

Conclusions: Menthol, even at very low doses, alters the appeal of e-cigarettes among youth. Further, menthol enhances positive rewarding effects of high nicotine-containing e-cigarettes among youth.

Keywords: Electronic cigarettes; Menthol; Nicotine; Youth.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems*
  • Glucuronates / chemistry*
  • Humans
  • Menthol / analogs & derivatives*
  • Menthol / chemistry
  • Nicotine / pharmacology*
  • Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Taste / drug effects*
  • Tobacco Products

Substances

  • Glucuronates
  • Menthol
  • Nicotine
  • menthol glucuronide