Comparison of measurement methods for electronic cigarette puff topography

Objectives: Measurement of electronic cigarette (ECIG) puff topography provides an under-standing of how product characteristics and user behavior affect nicotine delivery. However, mouthpiece-based topography devices may affect natural puffing behavior. This study was de-signed to compare ECIG topography measured by mouthpiece-based eTop computerized device and mouthpiece-free video recordings. Methods: ECIG-naïve cigarette smokers (N = 18) and ECIG-experienced users (N = 25) puffed on a standardized ECIG via eTop or conventionally; both sessions were videotaped. Following overnight abstinence, participants experienced one directed (10 puffs, 30 sec IPI) and 2 ad libitum puffing bouts. Heart rate and subjective response were measured throughout sessions. Results: No statistically significant differences between methods were observed for topography, heart rate, or abstinence-related subjective effects, and both methods were accurate and reliable. Use of a mouthpiece was perceived to alter aspects of ECIG puffing (eg, “reduce enjoyment). Conclusions: The mouthpiece-based eTop measures ECIG topography precisely as when no mouthpiece is used, and interferes minimally with subjective ECIG experience. Reliable and valid ECIG topography measurement methods are an important regulatory tool, as they can be used to understand the interplay between product design and user behavior to predict toxicant exposure.