Determining the Prevalence of Bitter Tasters in a Sample of College Smokers

Abstract

Social smoking is a growing trend among college students, characterized by occasional smoking, lack of nicotine dependence, and less intention to quit.  Bitter taste phenotype (BTP), one’s ability to test bitter, may help tailor appropriate oral nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) to help students quit.  Research questions examined differences in BTP and nicotine dependence among regular and social smokers.  A bitter taste test determined ability to taste bitter.  Carbon monoxide (CO) breath levels and salivary cotinine were used as biomarkers of smoking. A final sample of 22 revealed that 14 (63.6%) subjects considered themselves “social smokers.” Prevalence of bitter tasters was 59.1%, with 45.5% being categorized as medium tasters, 13.6% as supertasters, and 40.9% as nontasters.  BTP was significantly and inversely correlated with smoking status; specifically, average number of cigarettes on a weekday (Kendall’s tau b = -.402), and percentage smoked with others (Kendall’s tau b = -.434).  The trend of nontasters having a higher nicotine dependence score than bitter tasters was observed, although results were insignificant.  As there is limited research about smoking habits of college students, understanding students’ social smoking, oral NRT use, and BTP will aid in determining the most effective cessation products and programs.