Associated Changes in E-cigarette Puff Duration and Cigarettes Smoked per Day

Introduction: To examine whether changes in select measures of e-cigarette puffing topography are associated with changes in smoking behavior. Methods: Sixteen current cigarette smokers were instructed to completely switch from smoking combustible cigarettes to using e-cigarettes over a 2-week period. The study was completed in the Southern Midwestern region of the United States. Measures included demographics, smoking history, and cigarette dependence, as well as baseline and 2-week follow-up self-reported cigarettes per day, cigarette craving and urges, exhaled carbon monoxide readings, and e-cigarette usage data (puff number, puffing time, and average puff duration) collected via the e-cigarette built-in puff counter. Results: Over the 2-week switching period, participants significantly reduced their cigarettes per day (similar to 80% reduction, p < .0001). Although the number of e-cigarette puffs/day remained relatively stable (p > .05), the average total e-cigarette daily puffing time increased significantly (p = .001). Users' average puff duration increased by 91 ms/puff/d (p < .001). The percentage decrease in cigarettes smoked per day was significantly and directly related to the slope of subjects' average puff duration over time (r(13) = .62, p = .01), such that as cigarettes per day decreased, puff duration increased. Self-reported smoking urges remained relatively stable from baseline to the end of the 2-week period (p > .05). Conclusions: Among smokers switching to an e-cigarette, greater increases in e-cigarette puff duration was associated with greater reductions in cigarette smoking.

Automated summary

The study revealed that among smokers transitioning to e-cigarettes, greater increases in e-cigarette puff duration were associated with greater reductions in cigarette smoking. The findings suggest that prolonged puffing on e-cigarettes may lead to decreased smoking behavior.