Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Smoking Cessation in Arkansas, 2014

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a study examining the relationship between electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) and smoking cessation in Arkansas in 2014. The study aimed to determine the prevalence of ENDS use, the impact of ENDS use on smoking cessation, and beliefs about ENDS use in Arkansas. The study's key findings offer valuable insights for public health policy and education.

Key Points:

* The study found that 6.1% of Arkansas adults were currently using ENDS in 2014.
* Of the 1083 participants who were current smokers or had quit smoking within the past 5 years, 54.1% had used ENDS.
* ENDS use was significantly associated with reduced odds of quitting smoking (weighted odds ratio ¼0.53; 95% CI, 0.34-0.83).
* Although many participants believed that ENDS use was harmful to nonsmokers and switching to ENDS did not reduce tobacco-related health risks, most ENDS users did not share these beliefs.
* The study found no significant changes in the overall prevalence of current and former cigarette smoking in Arkansas from 2011 to 2014.
* The study suggests that ENDS use may not be effective tools for smoking cessation and may promote nicotine addiction.
* The study encourages other states to add ENDS-related questions to their BRFSS surveys to better understand beliefs about ENDS use and smoking.

Main Message:
The study highlights the limited evidence supporting the use of ENDS for smoking cessation and suggests that ENDS use may not help smokers quit and may actually reduce their likelihood of quitting. The study emphasizes the importance of conveying this message to cigarette smokers and encourages public health policy makers and educators to consider these findings when developing policies and educational materials related to ENDS use and smoking cessation.

Ekanem, Uwemedimbuk S., Victor M. Cardenas, Ruiqi Cen, Wanda Simon, Irene P. Chedjieu, Morgan Woodward, Robert R. Delongchamp, and J. Gary Wheeler. “Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems and Smoking Cessation in Arkansas, 2014.” Public Health Reports 132, no. 2 (March 2017): 210–19. https://doi.org/10.1177/0033354916689611.