Recent Study Compares the Reward Value of Vaping and Smoking

Researchers from the Department of Psychology at the University at Buffalo assessed key motivational processes that are at play when people use regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes, with the aim of determining the relative reward value of both.

Diane Caruana

July 18, 2018

Interestingly the participants displayed the same level of craving towards cigarettes and e-cigarettes, however they were willing to spend significantly more to have access to cigarettes than to e-cigarettes.

The study which was published in Nicotine and Tobacco Research last week, was carried out by assessing the responses of fifty-four dual users, therefore participants who use both e-cigarettes and the regular combustible kind. The researchers used the Choice-Behavior-Under-Cued-Conditions (CBUCC) procedure, to examine cue-specific reactions to tobacco and e-cigarettes with a primary focus on evaluating the relative reward value of both.

The participants were exposed to a lit tobacco cigarette, their own e-cigarette, or a cup of water across multiple trials. In each trial, they were asked to rate their craving for all three items and indicate the amount of money they would be willing to spend to have access to them. “Key measures included craving, amount of money spent to access the cue, latency to access the cue, spending choice time, and consumption.” highlighted the study Abstract.

“Overall, the data suggest that e-cigarette puffs are less valued and generate less craving than tobacco cigarette puffs for dual users.”Study Abstract

The data collected indicated that the respondents craved cigarettes and e-cigarettes more than water and would spend significantly more on them. Interestingly the participants displayed the same level of cue-specific craving towards cigarettes and e-cigarettes, however they were willing to spend significantly more to have access to cigarettes than to e-cigarettes.

“Overall, the data suggest that e-cigarette puffs are less valued and generate less craving than tobacco cigarette puffs for dual users,” concluded the study.

PATH study had indicated that e-cigs are less addictive

Vapers were found to have less cravings, hence found it easier to refrain from using the products in restricted areas.

In line with this, data released in 2017 by researchers from Penn State College of Medicine, had indicated that vapers are less dependent on their electronic devices, than smokers are on combustible cigarettes.

The study which was funded by the National Institutes of Health and the Center for Tobacco Products, consisted of an ongoing national survey of tobacco use of over 30,000 participants comprised of both young and mature adults.

The research had indicated that vapers tend to use their products later in the morning after waking up, in comparison to smokers. Additionally vapers were also found to have less cravings, found it easier to refrain from using the products in restricted areas, and were less likely to consider themselves as addicts.