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Background and Aims: For electronic cigarettes (e‐cigarettes) to be a viable substitute for combustible cigarettes, it is likely that they must be rewarding enough for regular use, indicated by factors such as craving and dependence, important aspects of reinforcement. This study aimed to understand short‐term changes in measures of nicotine dependence between groups differing by use trajectory in a switching trial, and within group changes of these measures. Design Secondary data analysis of one arm of an e‐cigarette randomized clinical trial. Setting: San Diego, California and Kansas City, Missouri, United States. Participants: 114 African American (n = 60) and Latinx (n = 54) smokers (58.8% male) attempting to switch to nicotine salt pod system (NSPS) e‐cigarettes in a 6‐week trial. Measurements At week 6, participants were classified by use trajectory: exclusive smokers (n = 16), exclusive e‐cigarette (n = 32), or dual users (n = 66). E‐cigarette, cigarette, and total nicotine dependence (cigarette + e‐cigarette), use patterns, cigarette craving and nicotine withdrawal, and cotinine were assessed at baseline and week 6 using standard measures. Findings In between group comparisons, exclusive e‐cigarette and dual users showed greater reductions in cigarette dependence (e‐cigarette: −32.38, 95% CI = −37.7,−27.1; dual: −18.48, 95% CI = −22.2,−14.7), withdrawal (e‐cigarette: −6.25, 95% CI = −8.52,−3.98; dual: −3.18, 95% CI = −5.02,−1.34), craving (e‐cigarette: −11.44, 95% CI = −14.2,8.7; dual: −9.59, 95% CI = −11.6,−7.59), and cigarettes per day (CPD; e‐cigarette: −11.19, 95% CI = −13.1,−9.27; dual: −9.39, 95% CI = −11.3, −7.52) compared with exclusive smokers. In within group analyses, e‐cigarette and dual users showed reductions in craving and withdrawal from baseline to week 6. Exclusive e‐cigarette and dual users, maintained cotinine levels (all Ps > 0.05) and showed reductions in CPD and cigarette dependence (all Ps < 0.01). Findings were inconclusive regarding changes in total nicotine dependence from baseline to week 6 among exclusive e‐cigarette users (P = 0.123). Dual users showed increased total nicotine dependence (P < 0.001) and smokers showed decreased total dependence (P = 0.004). Conclusions: Smokers who switch to nicotine salt pod system e‐cigarettes maintain their nicotine levels and transfer their dependence, suggesting that nicotine salt pod system e‐cigarettes have a similar reinforcement potential to cigarettes and facilitate switching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poor sleep health is associated with numerous health concerns, and sleep problems are exacerbated by cigarette smoking. Although rates of traditional tobacco use are declining, rates of electronic cigarette (e‐cigarette) use are comparatively high and growing. Given that nicotine is a primary mechanism by which smoking negatively impacts sleep health, e‐cigarette use may also be linked to poor sleep health; however, no research has investigated this association. Participants were 1,664 college students, 40.9% of whom reported ever trying or currently using an e‐cigarette. Questionnaires assessed demographic information, sleep health and e‐cigarette use status and patterns. All measures were completed remotely via a secure online survey. Analysis of covariance was used to compare the sleep health of daily/non‐daily e‐cigarette users to (a) non‐users and (b) users of combustible cigarettes. Gender and drinks per week were included as covariates in analyses. Current combustible and e‐cigarette users reported significantly more sleep difficulties than never users. Users of e‐cigarettes reported greater use of sleep medication than combustible cigarette users. Similar to combustible cigarette smoking, e‐cigarette use (vs. non‐use) was associated with worse sleep health, even among non‐daily e‐cigarette users. These findings may indicate a need for assessment of and education on the role of e‐cigarette use in sleep health among individuals who report experimentation with or current use of e‐cigarettes. Future research should examine these relationships prospectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]