E-cigarettes an evidence update A report commissioned by Public Health England

E-cigarettes: an evidence updateOf concern is that data suggest that some smokers may not continue to use EC insteadof smoking because of a misguided belief that EC would be harmful to their health. Inthe ASH Smokers’ survey 2014, the second most frequently endorsed disadvantagewas “They might not be safe enough as a product” (35%) among smokers who had triedan EC but were not using one anymore. Similarly, in a survey of US respondents,among 227 respondents who had tried EC in the past, were no longer using them butwere still smoking cigarettes [44], the most frequently endorsed reason was that ECdidn’t feel enough like smoking cigarettes, followed by dislike of the taste and that theywere bad for health. It would appear therefore that these respondents stopped EC usein favour of continuing to smoke more deadly cigarettes.Summary of findingsA number of surveys in different populations provide evidence that reducing the harmfrom smoking (such as through cutting down on their cigarette consumption or helpingwith withdrawal during temporary abstinence) and the desire to quit smoking cigarettesare the most important reasons for using EC. Curiosity appears to play a major role inexperimentation. Most trial of EC does not lead to regular use and while there is lessevidence on why trial does not become regular use, it appears that trial due to curiosityis less likely to lead to regular use than trial for reasons such as stopping smoking orreducing harm. Dissatisfaction with products and safety concerns may deter continuedEC use.Policy implicationsoSmokers frequently state that they are using EC to give up smoking. They shouldtherefore be provided with advice and support to encourage them to quit smokingcompletely.o Other reasons for use include reducing the harm from smoking and such effortsshould be supported but with a long-term goal of stopping smoking completely.Harm perceptions56