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Substance Use & Misuse Jun 2024Flavor additives are commonly used in combustible tobacco products to mask harshness and increase appeal. However, research on the availability of flavored waterpipe...
INTRODUCTION
Flavor additives are commonly used in combustible tobacco products to mask harshness and increase appeal. However, research on the availability of flavored waterpipe tobacco (WT) is lacking, yet is important to support implementation of policies.
METHODS
We completed a comprehensive online search in 2020 to identify WT brands and flavors sold online in the USA. We conducted a descriptive content analysis categorizing flavors as (i.e., clear taste/flavor) or (i.e., no clear taste/flavor); and coded for 23 flavor descriptors (e.g., fruit, mint/menthol, tobacco). Flavor names were double-coded and discrepancies were resolved by a third coder.
RESULTS
We identified 66 WT brands with 118 product lines (i.e., sub-brands). We found 2953 flavors, including 1871 unique flavors. Brands averaged 45 flavors (range: 1-183). Almost three quarters (73.5%, = 2171) used explicit flavor names and 26.5% ( = 782) used concept flavor names. Concept flavors varied widely, and included names such as and . The most common flavor descriptors were fruit (54.1%) and mint/menthol (12.5%). Tobacco was rarely (0.2%) used as a flavor descriptor. Flavor descriptors also included location (10.7%), color (11.1%), candy (6.3%), cool/ice (5.3%), and alcohol (5.5%).
CONCLUSIONS
WT is available in 1871 unique flavors, likely contributing to product appeal and use. Like other tobacco products, fruit and mint/menthol are common flavors. Given the significant health consequences associated with WT smoking and the role of flavors in product use, regulatory action specifically targeting WT flavors is urgently needed.
PubMed: 38946151
DOI: 10.1080/10826084.2024.2359723 -
Addictive Behaviors Jun 2024A subpopulation of adults who smoke cigarettes use electronic nicotine device systems (ENDS) for cigarette cessation. This study examined the relationship between ENDS...
BACKGROUND
A subpopulation of adults who smoke cigarettes use electronic nicotine device systems (ENDS) for cigarette cessation. This study examined the relationship between ENDS flavors, device types, and nicotine concentration with past month cigarette abstinence among adults using ENDS for cigarette cessation.
METHODS
We used the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study (waves 5 and 6) to identify adults who self-reported using ENDS to quit cigarettes at baseline (wave 5) and investigated their cigarette abstinence at follow-up (wave 6) [n = 1252]. Measures assessed include ENDS features (flavors, device types, nicotine concentration) at baseline and past-month abstinence from cigarette smoking at follow-up. Weighted descriptive analysis was used, and multivariable logistic regression models examined ENDS features associated with past-month cigarette abstinence, adjusting for demographic factors and tobacco dependence at baseline.
RESULTS
Most participants used disposable devices (37.2 %; 95 % CI:33.2-41.5), followed by refillable tanks (30.2 %; 95 % CI:26.2-34.5). Additionally, fruit (41.3 %; 95 % CI:37.3-45.5), followed by menthol (19.1 %; 95 % CI:16.2-22.4), and tobacco (18.5 %; 95 % CI:15.5-22.1) were the most common flavors. The most common nicotine concentration used was 1-6 mg/ml (38.8 %; 95 % CI:34.6-43.2). Furthermore, in the adjusted model, daily ENDS users at baseline had 86 % (95 % CI:1.08-3.18) higher odds of past month cigarette abstinence at follow-up, than individuals who indicated 'not at all' to the current use of ENDS at baseline. There were no significant differences by preferred flavors, device type and nicotine concentrations (p-values > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Daily ENDS users had higher odds of quitting cigarettes compared to those who stopped using ENDS. However, the type of device, flavoring, and nicotine concentration used by ENDS users were not associated with past-month cigarette abstinence at follow-up two years later.
PubMed: 38943930
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108097 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024Recently, bisphenol AF (BPAF) as most commonly used bisphenol A analogs had the increasing higher level in the environment with unknown risks. Herein, a synchronous...
Recently, bisphenol AF (BPAF) as most commonly used bisphenol A analogs had the increasing higher level in the environment with unknown risks. Herein, a synchronous dual-mode sensor had been established based on differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) and electrochemiluminescence (ECL) for the detection of BPAF in pond mud. Firstly, the sensing molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) films were prepared by electrochemical polymerization procedure with 3,4-ethoxylene dioxy thiophene (EDOT) as the functional monomer, BPAF as the template molecule and MXene as the supporting electrolyte. Due to unique characters of PEDOT and MXene, the constructed MIP films were stable and highly conductive. Meanwhile, zinc-doped bismuth sulfide quantum dots (Zn-BiS QDs) were synthesized as a nano-emitter to generate strong ECL signals in the MIP film. In the sensing process, a pulsed voltage applied to the PEDOT/MXene MIP film to generate both DPV and ECL signals for simultaneous dual-mode detection. Additionally, the liquid-liquid extraction with deep eutectic solvent (menthol: octanol 1:1) was used for the pre-concentration of the BPAF in the pond mud. Based on the sensing system, the ECL and DPV response showed the good linear relationships with the concentration of BPAF with the ranges of 0.01 μM-50 μM and 0.1 μM-50 μM and the detection limits of 0.0060 μM and 0.059 μM, respectively.
PubMed: 38936736
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174251 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Lamiaceae is a botanical family rich in aromatic species that are in high demand such as basil, lavender, mint, oregano, sage, and thyme. It has great economical,... (Review)
Review
Lamiaceae is a botanical family rich in aromatic species that are in high demand such as basil, lavender, mint, oregano, sage, and thyme. It has great economical, ecological, ethnobotanical, and floristic importance. The aim of this work is to provide an updated view on the aerobiology of species from the family Lamiaceae, with an emphasis on novelties and emerging applications. From the aerobiology point of view, the greatest interest in this botanical family is related to the volatile organic compounds emitted by the plants and, to a much lesser extent, their pollen. Research has shown that the major volatile organic compounds emitted by the plants from this botanical family are monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. The most important monoterpenes reported across studies include α-pinene, β-pinene, 1,8-cineole, menthol, limonene, and γ-terpinene. Most reports tend to cover species from the subfamily Nepetoideae. Volatile oils are produced by glandular trichomes found on aerial organs. Based on general morphology, two main types are found in the family Lamiaceae, namely peltate and capitate trichomes. As a result of pollinator-mediated transfer of pollen, Lamiaceae species present a reduced number of stamens and quantity of pollen. This might explain the low probability of pollen presence in the air from these species. A preliminary synopsis of the experimental evidence presented in this work suggests that the interplay of the organic particles and molecules released by these plants and their environment could be leveraged for beneficial outcomes in agriculture and landscaping. Emerging reports propose their use for intercropping to ensure the success of fructification, increased yield of entomophilous crops, as well as in sensory gardens due to the therapeutic effect of volatiles.
PubMed: 38931119
DOI: 10.3390/plants13121687 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024This investigation aimed to identify the most favorable cultivar based on plant metabolites for potential targeted cultivation in the pharmaceutical industry. The...
This investigation aimed to identify the most favorable cultivar based on plant metabolites for potential targeted cultivation in the pharmaceutical industry. The analysis revealed the presence of 19 individual phenolics and 80 individual volatiles across the cultivars, a breadth of data not previously explored to such an extent. Flavones emerged as the predominant phenolic group in all mint-scented cultivars, except for peppermint, where hydroxycinnamic acids dominated. Peppermint exhibited high concentrations of phenolic acids, particularly caffeic acid derivatives and rosmarinic acid, which are known for their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Luteolin-rich concentrations were found in several mint varieties, known for their antioxidative, antitumor, and cardio-protective properties. Swiss mint and spearmint stood out with elevated levels of flavanones, particularly eriocitrin, akin to citrus fruits. Monoterpene volatiles, including menthol, camphor, limonene, and carvone, were identified across all cultivars, with Swiss mint and spearmint exhibiting the highest amounts. The study underscores the potential for targeted cultivation to enhance volatile yields and reduce agricultural land use. Notably, chocolate mint demonstrated promise for volatile content, while apple mint excelled in phenolics, suggesting their potential for broader agricultural, pharmaceutical, and food industry production.
PubMed: 38928799
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121857 -
Nicotine & Tobacco Research : Official... Jun 2024On April 20, 2020, New Jersey (NJ) implemented a comprehensive ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. This study compares sales of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and...
INTRODUCTION
On April 20, 2020, New Jersey (NJ) implemented a comprehensive ban on the sale of flavored e-cigarettes. This study compares sales of e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and cigars before and after the law.
METHODS
Data were biweekly retailer scanner sales in NJ convenience stores for e-cigarettes, cigarettes, and cigars between August 2019 and December 2020. We used Joinpoint regression to assess sales trends for cigarettes (non-menthol, menthol), cigars (unflavored, flavored), and e-cigarettes (unflavored, fruit/sweet/concept flavor, menthol flavor) in the 36 weeks before and 36 weeks after a statewide ban on flavored e-cigarettes.
RESULTS
Flavored e-cigarette sales, not including menthol, significantly decreased over the study period while menthol e-cigarette sales significantly increased until the e-cigarette flavor ban took effect, after which these sales rapidly declined through May 2020, then slowed. Unflavored e-cigarette sales declined through September 2019, then grew modestly until the flavored e-cigarette ban, after which sales significantly increased. Flavored cigar sales increased between March and May 2020, then declined; non-flavored cigar sales increased between mid-February and early July 2020, then declined. Cigarette sales were decreasing before the flavored e-cigarette ban but after, significantly increased until June 2020. Overall, there was no significant trend in the average biweekly percent change for cigarette sales.
CONCLUSIONS
Flavored e-cigarette sales were declining prior to the ban but the pace of the decline accelerated following federal and state restrictions on flavored e-cigarette sales, then slowed by the second half of 2020, with a brief period of increased cigarette and cigar sales immediately following the ban.
IMPLICATIONS
New Jersey's 2020 statewide e-cigarette flavor ban offered the opportunity to observe how sales of e-cigarette, cigarette, and cigar products shifted after the change. The effect of the state law, at least in the short-term, was decreased sales of flavored e-cigarettes and increased sales of unflavored e-cigarettes. Research on long term policy effects is needed.
PubMed: 38913006
DOI: 10.1093/ntr/ntae151 -
GC/HRMS Analysis of E-Liquids Complements In Vivo Modeling Methods and can Help to Predict Toxicity.ACS Omega Jun 2024Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for disease development, with the user inhaling various chemicals known to be toxic. However, many of these chemicals are absent...
Tobacco smoking is a major risk factor for disease development, with the user inhaling various chemicals known to be toxic. However, many of these chemicals are absent before tobacco is "burned". Similar, detailed data have only more recently being reported for the e-cigarette with regards to chemicals present before and after the e-liquid is "vaped." Here, zebrafish were dosed with vaped e-liquids, while C57-BL/6J mice were vaped using nose-cone only administration. Preliminary assessments were made using e-liquids and GC/HRMS to identify chemical signatures that differ between unvaped/vaped and flavored/unflavored samples. Oxidative stress and inflammatory immune cell response assays were then performed using our in vivo models. Chemical signatures differed, e.g., between unvaped/vaped samples and also between unflavored/flavored e-liquids, with known chemical irritants upregulated in vaped and unvaped flavored e-liquids compared with unflavored e-liquids. However, when possible respiratory irritants were evaluated, these agents were predominantly present in only the vaped e-liquid. Both oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were induced by a menthol-flavored but not a tobacco-flavored e-liquid. Thus, chemical signatures differ between unvaped versus vaped e-liquid samples and also between unflavored versus flavored e-liquids. These flavors also likely play a significant role in the variability of e-liquid characteristics, e.g., pro-inflammatory and/or cytotoxic responses.
PubMed: 38911720
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c03416 -
Addictive Behaviors Jun 2024In November 2019, the Massachusetts legislature passed An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control and became the first state to restrict retail sales of all flavored (including...
BACKGROUND
In November 2019, the Massachusetts legislature passed An Act Modernizing Tobacco Control and became the first state to restrict retail sales of all flavored (including menthol) cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and other tobacco products. Our study aims to provide the retailer experience of the new law from the perspectives of multiple stakeholders, including tobacco retailers themselves, public health officials, and Massachusetts residents.
METHODS
We conducted in-depth interviews with seven tobacco retailers and ten public health officials from March 2021 to April 2022. Monthly repeated cross-sectional surveys were administered through the online survey panel Prodege from April 2021 to August 2022 (adult sample: N = 765; adolescent sample: N = 900). Themes from interviews were identified by drawing on deductive codes informed by the interview guide, followed by inductive coding of data. Survey data were descriptively analyzed in R.
RESULTS
Key themes included retailer frustration over loss of sales to neighboring states, factors associated with retailer compliance, and the need for increased education regarding the law. Survey results showed that a minority of adolescents (13.3%) and adults (26.1%) who vaped in the past 30-days were traveling to border states to purchase vape products. Less than one-quarter of adolescent participants and less than half of adult participants could correctly identify which products Massachusetts did not sell.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence from the retailer, public health, and end-user perspectives support mutual benefits of adjacent states enacting flavored tobacco sales restrictions, improved policy education for retailers and the public, and improved retailer enforcement.
PubMed: 38908050
DOI: 10.1016/j.addbeh.2024.108089 -
Evidence that the cold- and menthol-sensing functions of the human TRPM8 channel evolved separately.Science Advances Jun 2024Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a temperature- and menthol-sensitive ion channel that contributes to diverse physiological roles, including cold...
Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a temperature- and menthol-sensitive ion channel that contributes to diverse physiological roles, including cold sensing and pain perception. Clinical trials targeting TRPM8 have faced repeated setbacks predominantly due to the knowledge gap in unraveling the molecular underpinnings governing polymodal activation. A better understanding of the molecular foundations between the TRPM8 activation modes may aid the development of mode-specific, thermal-neutral therapies. Ancestral sequence reconstruction was used to explore the origins of TRPM8 activation modes. By resurrecting key TRPM8 nodes along the human evolutionary trajectory, we gained valuable insights into the trafficking, stability, and function of these ancestral forms. Notably, this approach unveiled the differential emergence of cold and menthol sensitivity over evolutionary time, providing a fresh perspective on complex polymodal behavior. These studies provide a paradigm for understanding polymodal behavior in TRPM8 and other proteins with the potential to enhance our understanding of sensory receptor biology and pave the way for innovative therapeutic interventions.
Topics: TRPM Cation Channels; Humans; Menthol; Cold Temperature; Evolution, Molecular; Phylogeny; Thermosensing
PubMed: 38905339
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adm9228 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024This study investigates the incorporation of block natural rubber (NR) as a viscosity-inducing agent in NR oily liquids designed for drug delivery systems. A variety of...
This study investigates the incorporation of block natural rubber (NR) as a viscosity-inducing agent in NR oily liquids designed for drug delivery systems. A variety of liquids, encompassing natural oils, synthetic and non-oil liquids, and a eutectic mixture, were incorporated with NR using solvent displacement technique. Successful formulations were achieved for several oily liquids, with viscosity correlating to NR concentration. Particularly, a eutectic mixture of menthol and camphor exhibited optimal viscosity by direct dissolving enabling the development of transdermal ibuprofen delivery and injectable azithromycin for periodontitis treatment. NR prolonged the release of both drugs. The extended-release ibuprofen system holds promise for transdermal applications, while the azithromycin system displayed inhibitory effects against Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus mutans, and Porphyromonas gingivalis, suggesting potential for periodontitis treatment. Overall, this investigation advances the development of NR oily liquids as a versatile drug delivery system that can be applied both on the skin and for the local injection into the periodontal pocket, showcasing promise for various therapeutic applications.
PubMed: 38897513
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133237