E-<strong>cigarettes</strong>: <strong>an</strong> <strong>evidence</strong> <strong>update</strong>Observational <strong>an</strong>d natural history studies are therefore import<strong>an</strong>t. Only one populationbasedsurvey has examined the effectiveness of EC used during quit attempts. A largecross-sectional study of 5,863 English smokers who attempted to quit in the past yearwithout using professional support [29] found that those who used EC on their last quitattempt were more likely to quit th<strong>an</strong> those who used over the counter NRT – (the mostcommon help sought <strong>by</strong> smokers after EC, see Figure 14), or no quit aid, controlling forfactors related to quitting. This study was, however, unable to explore prospectivepredictors of quitting, including pre-quit nicotine dependence. Still, this study offerssome of the best <strong>evidence</strong> to date on the effectiveness of EC for use in quit attempts.Other recent population studies [16, 44, 45] have also examined the associationbetween EC use <strong>an</strong>d quitting. However, because these studies (1) included smokerswho were already using EC at baseline, <strong>an</strong>d (2) did not examine the use of EC during aspecific quit attempt, we discuss them below in the section on use of EC while smoking.Pilot studiesPolosa et al., 2014 [46] conducted a six-month pilot study of t<strong>an</strong>k-type EC users with nocontrol group among 72 smokers who did not w<strong>an</strong>t to quit (smokers were enrolledafter rejecting participation in smoking cessation program at a hospital). At sixmonths, they found signific<strong>an</strong>t 50% <strong>an</strong>d 80% reductions in cigarette consumption, <strong>an</strong>d aquit rate of 36% [46]. Another study <strong>by</strong> Polosa et al., 2014 [47] followed 71 vape shopcustomers (seven different shops) after their first visit to the shop. The first visit includedinstructions on how to use EC <strong>an</strong>d encouragement to use their EC of choice to reducetheir smoking, along with a telephone number they could call for help. At six <strong>an</strong>d twelvemonths after their initial visit they found that the smokers <strong>report</strong>ed signific<strong>an</strong>t 50% <strong>an</strong>d80% reductions in <strong>cigarettes</strong> per day at six <strong>an</strong>d twelve months, <strong>an</strong>d that at six <strong>an</strong>dtwelve months, 42.2% <strong>an</strong>d 40.8% had quit smoking.E-<strong>cigarettes</strong> <strong>an</strong>d stop smoking servicesSome English stop smoking services <strong>an</strong>d practitioners support the use of EC in quitattempts [48], <strong>an</strong>d provide behavioural support for EC users trying to quit smoking. Themost recent monitoring data from the stop smoking services show the self-<strong>report</strong>edsuccess rates for different medications <strong>an</strong>d nicotine-containing products used (Figure15). Data are not given <strong>by</strong> validated success rates but overall, 69% of those who self<strong>report</strong>stopping smoking are carbon-monoxide validated [49]. Hence, there arelimitations with these data as they are self-<strong>report</strong>ed success rates <strong>an</strong>d it is possible thatthey may vary <strong>by</strong> treatment used. Additionally, the data are not adjusted for otherfactors, such as dependence, known to influence success rates, <strong>an</strong>d it is likely that theyem<strong>an</strong>ate from a limited number of services who record unlicensed nicotine-containingproducts <strong>an</strong>d who might therefore be more supportive of their use. Nevertheless, the48
E-<strong>cigarettes</strong>: <strong>an</strong> <strong>evidence</strong> <strong>update</strong><strong>evidence</strong> is consistent with <strong>evidence</strong> from trials <strong>an</strong>d other observational data that e-<strong>cigarettes</strong> are likely to support successful quitting.Figure 15: Support used <strong>an</strong>d stop smoking service self-<strong>report</strong>ed quit rates 3Note: Figures in brackets represent the number of quit attempts in which each type of support was used. The number of clientswith recorded e-cigarette use is very small in comparison to those recorded to have used other types of support.Use of e-<strong>cigarettes</strong> while smokingPopulation studiesTwo studies using data drawn from a longitudinal population sample of more th<strong>an</strong> 1,500smokers in GB recently examined the impact of EC use on quitting, considering theeffects of frequency of EC used <strong>an</strong>d type of EC. Brose et al., 2015 [45] found thatrespondents who used EC daily at baseline were more likely to make a quit attempt oneyear later, but were no more or less likely to quit th<strong>an</strong> those who did not use EC. DailyEC use at follow-up was found to be associated with reduced cigarette consumptionsince baseline. No effects of non-daily EC use on quit attempts, quitting, or reduction inconsumption were found. Using data from the same Internet Cohort GB study,Hitchm<strong>an</strong> et al., 2015 [16] found differences in quitting between baseline <strong>an</strong>d follow-up3 Taken from <strong>Health</strong> <strong>an</strong>d Social Care Information Centre. Statistics on NHS Stop Smoking Services in Engl<strong>an</strong>d - April 2014 toDecember 2014.<strong>Public</strong>ation date: April 23, 2015 Source: Ref 47. http://www.hscic.gov.uk/catalogue/PUB1730249
Change language