Discussion Paper: Electronic cigarettes: Sensory cues in nicotine dependency

Abstract

There is considerable evidence that nicotine can add to and increase the reward value of neutral stimuli, as well as evidence that exposure to nicotine-paired stimuli increases nicotine self-administration. With electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), given that nicotine may add reward value to e-liquid flavours and that the flavours are already designed to be ‘liked’, they are likely to become particularly rewarding, adding to satisfaction and withdrawal-mitigating effects of use. Similarly, co-exposure of the flavour combined with nicotine may increase nicotine self-administration. These flavours may therefore be a vital component in e-cigarette dependency, actually increasing nicotine addiction.