Electronic cigarettes in standard smoking cessation treatment by tobacco counselors in Flanders: E-cigarette users show similar if not higher quit rates as those using commonly recommended smoking cessation aids.

Introduction:
This text summarizes a research study examining the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) as a smoking cessation aid compared to other commonly recommended smoking cessation aids, such as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and smoking cessation medication. The study was conducted in Flanders, Belgium and followed participants for seven months after their quit date.

Key points:

* Participants were recruited through tobacco counselors and followed a standard treatment protocol, which included eight sessions of group counseling over a two-month period.
* Participants were allocated to different conditions based on their choice of quit smoking aid at the first or second follow-up assessment. There was no randomization.
* The primary outcome measure included three smoking abstinence variables: point prevalence abstinence, continuous smoking abstinence, and prolonged smoking abstinence.
* Point prevalence abstinence rates were analyzed using mixed effect logistic regression models and continuous and prolonged smoking abstinence were analyzed using logistic regression models.
* There were no significant differences in point prevalence abstinence rates between e-cigarette users and users of other smoking cessation aids at any of the follow-up assessments.
* There were also no significant differences in continuous or prolonged smoking abstinence rates between e-cigarette users and users of other smoking cessation aids.
* No differences were obtained between smoking cessation aids with respect to product use and experiences.

Main message:
The main message of this study is that people who smoke and choose e-cigarettes in the context of smoking cessation treatment by tobacco counselors show similar if not higher smoking cessation rates compared to those choosing other evidence-based (or no) smoking cessation aids. These findings suggest that e-cigarettes may be a viable option for smokers looking to quit and that they should be considered as an option in smoking cessation treatment.

Adriaens K, Belmans E, Van Gucht D, Baeyens F. Electronic cigarettes in standard smoking cessation treatment by tobacco counselors in Flanders: E-cigarette users show similar if not higher quit rates as those using commonly recommended smoking cessation aids. Harm reduction journal. 2021;18(1):28. doi:10.1186/s12954-021-00475-7