Authors: Brendan Wang¹, Dr. Amanda Mathew² , and Dr. Brian Hitsman³

¹ Founder and CEO of CAPNOS

² Rush University Medical Center, Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60612, USA

³ Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Department of Preventive Medicine, Chicago, IL 60611, USA

 

Highlights:

• The CAPNOS Vaping Study Survey (CVSS) incorporated validated measures of e-cigarette dependence and sensory expectancies (Morean, et al).
• CAPNOS advocates for independent laboratory and clinical research focused on vaping-related behavioral or sensory expectancies. These studies could shed light on motives for vaping and inform effective vaping cessation strategies.
• CAPNOS devices offer a promising behavioral substitute for the sensory experience of vaping. Our long-term goal is to recognize this new product category with approvals as safe, effective cessation solutions if independent studies confirm consumer experience.

 

Abstract:

Significance: Current vaping cessation research studies have not addressed the potentially important sensory effects and behavioral cravings in addressing youth and adult vaping dependence. We learned from CAPNOS consumers about vaping dependence, status, and sensory experience to evaluate reasons for using CAPNOS devices. Preliminary information on consumer perceptions and goals for changing vaping behavior was collected. The results may support the need for treatment studies to evaluate the potential efficacy of CAPNOS devices for vaping cessation. 

Methods: CAPNOS conducted a one-month survey from the start to end of July 2024 by recruiting existing and potential customers in the mailing list (joined by placing an order or by voluntary sign-ups), resulting in (n=412) responses, corrected to (n=379) in this sample by removing duplicate or invalid submissions. Participants were offered $5 cash up to the first 250 responses with three $100 cash rewards for all entries, provided by CAPNOS Inc.

Results:

Participants without prior vaping experience were filtered, resulting in (n=372) contributions.

When asked, "During the past 30 days, on how many days did you vape or use e-cigarettes," 19.9% (n=74) reported 0 days, 12.3% (n=46) between 1-9 days, 8.6% (n=32) 10-19 days, and 7.8% (n=29) reported 20-27 days. 51.4% (n=191) reported 28+ days.

Of (n=372) responses, 79.6% (n=296) of participants report “attempting to quit vaping completely in the past year,” with 79.4% (n=295) having “attempted to quit vaping by gradually cutting back in the past year.” Moreover, 96.8% (n=360) indicated “Yes” when asked, “Do you plan to quit ever to quit vaping or e-cigarettes.”

8.7% (n=32) reported having vaped or used e-cigarettes for under one year. 28.2% (n=105) between 1-3 years, 31.7% (n=118) 4-6 years, 12.4% (n=46) between 7-9 years, and the remaining 19.1% (n=71) at 10+ years.

8.3% (n=31) used no-nicotine vapes. 11% (n=41) used 10mg levels, 17.7% (n=66) used 20mg, 15.6% (n=58) at 30mg concentration, 2.2% (n=8) at 40mg, and 36% (n=134) used 50mg nicotine level. 9.1% (n=34) of respondents selected "Don't Know."

 

36.8% (n=137) of participants selected the “Feel-tactile throat hit or burn sensation” as the most important sensory expectation, 24.5% (n=91) selected “Feel – hand to mouth behavior” as a top priority, and 12.1% (n=45) selected “Feel – physical response to nicotine buzz” as a top priority. Collectively, sensory attributes of “feeling of the hand-to-mouth behavior”, and “the tactile throat hit or burn sensation” ranked higher among participants than a “physical response to nicotine buzz.”

 

59% of participants (n=220) reported using CAPNOS products. When asked the question, “What goals were you aiming to achieve with your CAPNOS device(s), 44.5% (n=98) endorsed vaping behavior Elimination, 36.8% (n=81) endorsed Replacement, and 17.7% (n=39) endorsed Reduction (for vaping usage). 0.9% (n=2) selected "Other," endorsing "stop cigarettes" and "satisfy hand to mouth habit." 

Among current users of CAPNOS devices, 21.4% (n=47) reported being “Very Successful” in reaching their primary goal. Further analysis is to be conducted regarding the success rate of each goal.

The ages of participants are as follows:

Age 18 Under: 1.8% (n=7)

Age 18-24: 20.9% (n=78)

Age 25-34: 29% (n=108)

Age 35-44: 26% (n=97)

Age 45+: 21.5% (n=80)

Undisclosed (n=2)

The average age of participants is 35.5 years. Ages range from 13 years to 76 years of age. 59.6% (n=215) reside in the USA and the remainder across thirty other countries, spanning all continents but Antarctica.

Of (n=368) responses, 12.2% are of Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin. Of (n=357) responses identifying race, 79.8% (n=285) identified as White, 4.8% (n=17) as Black or African American, 3.6% (n=13) Filipino, 2.5% (n=9) American Indian or Alaska Native, 2.5% (n=9) Asian Indian, 2.5% (n=9) Other Asian, 2% (n=7) Korean, 1.7% (n=6) Chinese, 1.1% (n=4) Japanese, 0.6% (n=2) Other Pacific Islander, and 0.3% (n=1) Samoan. 

Information on gender was not collected. 

Conclusions: The primary reasons for vape use among this sample of adult consumers recruited using a CAPNOS mailing list were behavioral or sensory-related, particularly hand-to-mouth habit and throat hit sensation. By advancing understanding of vaping related positive sensory experience, we aim to assess the potential role of behavioral substitution strategies for promoting vaping cessation. Further analysis of the CAPNOS Vaping Study Survey (CVSS) will examine individual differences in reasons for vaping and sensory effects. 

There exists the importance of future studies to assess the potential efficacy of CAPNOS devices as a standalone cessation device or in conjunction with other solutions, such as smoking cessation medicine, in both youth and adult populations.

Acknowledgements

This report is prepared by Brendan Wang with contributions by Dr. Brian Hitsman and Dr. Amanda Mathew. Gratitude is extended in their guidance in survey development, item selection, and counsel for supporting independent laboratory and clinical research. 

Additional analysis of the survey data is ongoing. The PROMIS E-Cig dependence measures (Morean, et al.) were included, with a forthcoming update once the measure is scored. 

Resources:

If you are an educator or administrator interested in hosting a free educational seminar and workshop opportunity for students, please contact (brendan@mycapnos.com) for additional details on how CAPNOS aims to reduce youth vaping usage. 

If you are an academic researcher, work in non-profit, or work with government regulatory/grant funding agencies, and would like to collaborate in furthering our research, please contact (brendan@mycapnos.com) for collaborative efforts. 

To view the distributable infographic summary of this abstract, visit this link for download access. 

 

Last updated August 9, 2024 at 15:38 MT by Brendan Wang