Electronic Cigarette Use among Survivors of Smoking-Related Cancers in the United States.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data from 2014-2017, focusing on the prevalence of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use among survivors of smoking-related cancers in the United States. The study also examines the associations between e-cigarette use, cigarette smoking, and smoking quit attempts in this population.

Key Points:

* The prevalence of current e-cigarette use among adult patients and survivors of smoking-related cancers in the United States was 3.18% (95% CI, 2.40% –3.96%).
* Current e-cigarette use among survivors of smoking-related cancers was associated with current and former cigarette smoking but not with increased smoking quit attempts in the prior year.
* Among those with a lifetime history of cigarette smoking and a smoking-related cancer, current and past e-cigarette use was associated with a lower likelihood of former smoking and a higher likelihood of current cigarette smoking.
* The cross-sectional nature of the study precludes making inferences regarding causality or directionality in the association between e-cigarette use and former smoking or smoking cessation.
* The absence of regulation of e-cigarettes by agencies such as the FDA and the absence of clinical practice guidelines recommending e-cigarette use as smoking cessation aides may impact discussions between patients and healthcare providers regarding e-cigarette use for smoking cessation.

Main Message:
The study suggests that e-cigarette use among patients and survivors of smoking-related cancers is not associated with increased quit attempts in the prior year. In addition, current e-cigarette users with a history of cigarette smoking were less likely to be former smokers than they were to be current smokers. The study does not support recommending e-cigarette use for smoking cessation among patients and survivors of smoking-related cancers. Further research is needed to examine the effectiveness of e-cigarette use as a smoking cessation aid among patients with cancer and survivors.

Akinboro O, Nwabudike S, Elias R, Balasire O, Ola O, Ostroff JS. Electronic Cigarette Use among Survivors of Smoking-Related Cancers in the United States. Cancer epidemiology, biomarkers & prevention : a publication of the American Association for Cancer Research, cosponsored by the American Society of Preventive Oncology. 2019;28(12):2087-2094. doi:10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-19-0105