IMRAN JAWAAD, QURRAT-UL-AIN LEGHARI, ABEEHA ZUBAIR, SADAF SAJID, MUKARAM AHMAD, SABA IQBAL
DOI: https://doi.org/Introduction: The current research focuses on how different flavors used in vapes influence the liking and disliking of vapes. The consumers are already aware about conventional tobacco cigarettes before e-cigarettes are introduced. The younger generation is very much attracted to cigarettes due to multiple reasons. Conventional cigarettes have tobacco whereas vapes have different flavors including tobacco also and attractive names also. Vapes are used to quit cigarettes. Sweet flavor is very attractive to consumers and to beginners.
Objective: To investigate how different vape flavours affect users preferences including their liking and disliking.
Material and Method: Participants: 62 adult vape users (sole and dual users).
Inclusion criteria: ≥20 years old, ≥2 months vaping, physically fit, medium nicotine use, etc.
Exclusion criteria: respiratory issues, olfactory problems, pregnancy, quitting programs, etc.
Study Design: Cross sectional descriptive study
Setting: Conducted in Lahore, Pakistan. Recruitment was through local colleges, offices and vape shops
Duration: 1st December 2024 to 30th June 2025
Data Collection: in millimeters from scales. ANOVA, Tukey tests, Pearson correlation, and regression analyses were conducted.
Results:
- Sweetness and coolness had a positive correlation with liking.
- Bitterness and harshness were negatively associated with pleasure.
- Sweetness alone explained 9.5% of variation in liking.
- Combined sensory properties explained up to 21.6% of variation.
- Panther Black and Drifter had the strongest sweet-pleasure associations.
- The majority preferred flavored e-liquids (especially sweet ones) over tobacco or menthol.
Conclusion: Sweet flavors significantly increase the liking of e-cigarettes. While this may help smokers switch from combustible cigarettes, it also poses a risk of attracting non-smokers and youth. Flavors, particularly sweet and cool ones, play a pivotal role in vape usage preferences. Further studies should investigate the chemical composition and concentration responsible for these preferences
