• Across all major manufacturers, as a comparative (relative) measure of free-base nicotine levels40,44–46 |
• As a means, in conjunction with total nicotine levels, for estimating free-base nicotine levels47,48 |
• For comparisons of brands across manufacturers,49 for analysis of consumer preferences,50 and to provide “additional information for development of new brands”51 |
• To predict changes in product perception based on form of nicotine delivered, as in a 1977 RJR panel study: “Panelists seem to respond to relatively small changes in pH near the region where free nicotine would exist.”52 |
• As a correlating parameter with smoker perceptual responses including: (a) perceived “impact”,*53,54 and electrophysiological and other responses55; (b) pharmacological satisfaction44; and (c) perception of smoke characteristics such as irritation, tobacco taste, and menthol52,56 |