A Randomized Trial Comparing the Effect of Nicotine Versus Placebo Electronic Cigarettes on Smoking Reduction Among Young Adult Smokers

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a research study on the use of electronic cigarettes (ECs) as a smoking reduction aid among young adults. The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of nicotine-containing ECs compared to placebo ECs in reducing cigarette consumption per day (CPD) among young adult smokers. The study also examines the impact of ECs on smoking cessation and the role of placebo ECs in smoking reduction. The text provides valuable insights into the potential benefits and limitations of ECs as a harm reduction strategy for smokers.

Key Points:

* The study is a two-arm, double-blind, randomized controlled pilot study.
* Subjects were randomized to receive 3 weeks of disposable 4.5% nicotine EC (intervention) or non-nicotine EC (placebo).
* The primary outcome was self-reported reduction of at least 50% in the number of CPDs smoked at 3-week follow-up compared to baseline.
* The study found that both groups (placebo and intervention) achieved significant reductions in overall number of cigarettes smoked per day with continued reductions over time.
* The intervention group was more likely to reduce by 50% or more at end of treatment (3 weeks), only after adjusting for EC consumption and baseline readiness to quit.
* The association between EC consumption and odds of achieving 50% smoking reduction at week 3 suggests that smokers were using ECs to displace cigarette use.
* The study suggests that ECs may have a role in pre-cessation treatment for quitting smoking.
* The study found that smokers are demonstrating an interest in nicotine delivery that closely mimics the experience of smoking without combustion.

Main Message:

The study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of ECs as a harm reduction strategy for smokers. The study found that both nicotine and placebo ECs were associated with smoking reduction, but nicotine-containing ECs were significantly more effective than placebo. The study also suggests that ECs may have a role in pre-cessation treatment for quitting smoking. However, the study has some limitations, such as the modest sample size and intervention duration, and the reliance on self-reported smoking reduction. Therefore, further research is needed to establish the role of both placebo and nicotine-containing ECs in increasing both reduction and subsequent cessation. Overall, the study adds knowledge to the current literature on the feasibility of using ECs to aid smoking reduction among young smokers in US urban populations.

Tseng, Tuo-Yen, Jamie S. Ostroff, Alena Campo, Meghan Gerard, Thomas Kirchner, John Rotrosen, and Donna Shelley. “A Randomized Trial Comparing the Effect of Nicotine Versus Placebo Electronic Cigarettes on Smoking Reduction Among Young Adult Smokers.” Nicotine & Tobacco Research 18, no. 10 (October 2016): 1937–43. https://doi.org/10.1093/ntr/ntw017.