Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Different Nicotine Salt Concentration Vape System Pods and Free-base Nicotine

On each study day, one puff will be taken with the assigned product every 30 seconds (total of 10 puffs). Blood samples will be collected to measure nicotine 15 minutes before vaping and 2, 5, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after the last puff. Heart rate and blood pressure will be measured 15 minutes before and 2, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120, and 180 minutes after the last puff. Post-use withdrawal, craving, reward, and satisfaction will be assessed 10 minutes and 1 and 3 hours after the last puff using the modified Minnesota Nicotine Withdrawal Scale (MNWS), the Tiffany Questionnaire on Smoking Urges (QSU), and the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) questionnaires. Respiratory symptoms will be assessed at baseline and 5 minutes after the last puff. Ten minutes post-use, the direct effects of the assigned product (e.g. satisfying, calming, pleasant, vape another one right now) will also be assessed using visual analog scales.

Inclusion criteria

• Men or women, age 18 or older at screening, who have used electronic cigarettes and/or smoked at least 5 cigarettes per day in the past 30 days
• Saliva cotinine of > 50 ng/mL at screening
• No clinically significant findings on the physical examination at screening
• Ability to communicate well with the investigator and to understand and comply with the requirements of the study
• Women of child-bearing age: willingness of using a reliable contraception method during the study
• Signed informed consent

Exclusion criteria

• Known hypersensitivity/allergy to a content of the e-liquid
• Pregnancy or breast feeding
• BMI < 18 or > 28 kg/m2 at screening
• History or clinical evidence of alcoholism or drug abuse within the 3-year period prior to screening
• Loss of ≥ 250 ml of blood within 3 months prior to screening, including blood donation
• Treatment with an investigational drug within 30 days prior to screening
• Treatment with prescribed or over-the-counter (OTC) medications with potential influence on CYP2A6 function within 1 week prior to screening (with the exception of contraception)
• History or clinical evidence of any disease (e.g. gastrointestinal tract-disease) and/or existence of any surgical or medical condition, which in the opinion of the investigator might interfere with the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of the study drugs, or which might increase the risk for toxicity
• Legal incapacity or limited legal capacity at screening
• Any circumstances or conditions, which, in the opinion of the investigator, may affect full participation in the study or compliance with the protocol