Success rates with nicotine personal vaporizers: a prospective 6-month pilot study of smokers not intending to quit

Introduction:
This article is a summary of a prospective study on the use of second generation personal vaporizers (PVs) among smokers not intending to quit. The study aims to monitor modifications in smoking behavior, product use and adverse events, and participants' perception and acceptance of the product. The study is designed as a proof-of-concept, with participants attending five study visits over six months.

Key points:

* The study included 50 smokers, with 76% completing all study visits.
* Participants were given a second generation PV and a full supply of tobacco aroma e-Liquid containing 9 mg/ml nicotine for 4 weeks.
* Sustained 50% reduction in cigarettes per day at week-24 was shown in 30% of participants, while 36% quit smoking completely.
* Throat/mouth irritation, dry throat/mouth, headache, and dry cough were frequently reported early in the study, but waned substantially by week-24.
* Participants' perception and acceptance of the products was very good.

Main message:
The study provides evidence that the use of second generation PVs substantially decreases cigarette consumption without causing significant adverse effects in smokers not intending to quit. This suggests that PVs could be a viable option for tobacco harm reduction in this population. The high retention rate and elevated rating in likeability scores indicate that quality and attractiveness of the study product may be playing a vital role in attaining large success rates. However, further studies are needed to confirm these preliminary observations and to assess the long-term safety and efficacy of PVs in smoking cessation and/or reduction. Regulatory authorities should take these findings into consideration when adopting proportional measures for the vapour category.

Polosa, Riccardo, Pasquale Caponnetto, Marilena Maglia, Jaymin B Morjaria, and Cristina Russo. “Success Rates with Nicotine Personal Vaporizers: A Prospective 6-Month Pilot Study of Smokers Not Intending to Quit.” BMC Public Health 14, no. 1 (December 2014): 1159. https://doi.org/10.1186/1471-2458-14-1159.