Empirical data on the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes as nicotine delivery devices are still being
collected.41 Some reports from the published literature suggest that electronic cigarettes are inefficient
nicotine delivery devices and result in only modest and unreliable increases in plasma nicotine
levels.42 Such findings appear to apply particularly to new users whereas studies using participants
experienced in electronic cigarette use have been found to derive more reliable nicotine intake levels.27
Whether experienced users are able to use these devices in a way in which their nicotine intake is
maximised, or the variability is due to such users preferring certain devices which might significantly
differ from those used by inexperienced users, is yet to be determined.43,44