Menthol versus tobacco e-liquid flavor: Impact on acute subjective effects, puff patterns, and intentions for use among Black and White menthol smokers

Background: The proposed FDA product standard to prohibit menthol as a characterizing flavor in combustible cigarettes has the potential to significantly reduce tobacco -related health disparities. Whether a menthol e -liquid product standard would improve or hinder public health is unknown. No known research has directly examined the impact of menthol vs. tobacco flavored e -liquid use on acute e -cigarette use patterns, subjective experience, behavioral intentions, and craving and withdrawal among menthol cigarette smokers. Methods: Black ( n = 47) and White ( n = 4) nicotine -deprived menthol smokers with limited e -cigarette experience completed two counterbalanced in -laboratory 30 -minute ad libitum vaping sessions with menthol and tobacco nicotine salt -based e -liquid in a randomized crossover pilot trial design. Questionnaires assessed reductions in craving and withdrawal and post -session subjective experience and behavioral intentions. Puff topography was measured continuously throughout each vaping session. Results: Measures of puff topography did not differ significantly by e -liquid flavor (all p > .40). Similarly, menthol and tobacco flavored e -cigarettes were both rated positively in terms of subjective effects and behavioral intentions (all p > .10) and about 40 % of participants reported a preference for the tobacco -flavored e -liquid. Finally, participants showed comparable reductions in craving ( p = .210) and withdrawal ( p = .671) from preand post -session regardless of e -liquid flavor. Conclusions: Among menthol smokers in a lab -based setting, findings suggest that menthol vs tobacco e -liquid flavor has little impact on acute changes in puff patterns, subjective experience, behavioral intentions, or craving and withdrawal.