Summary
Introduction:
This text is a summary of a longitudinal survey in the UK that aimed to assess the associations between vaping and relapse to smoking. The study included ex-smokers who had quit smoking for at least two months and followed up with them for 15 months. The study looked at the relationship between vaping status, vaping characteristics, and relapse to smoking during the follow-up period.
Key Points:
* The study included 374 ex-smokers who had quit smoking for at least two months and were followed up for 15 months.
* The study found that ex-smokers who vaped infrequently at baseline were more likely to relapse to smoking during the follow-up period than those who had never used e-cigarettes.
* Ex-smokers who used e-cigarettes daily were just as likely to relapse as never users.
* Among vapers, non-daily users were more likely to relapse than daily users.
* Those using devices other than modular devices also appeared to be more likely to relapse to smoking.
* Nicotine strength was not associated with relapse.
* The study had a large attrition rate between waves 4 and 5, and the sample sizes may have been too small to detect statistically significant effects.
Main Message:
The study suggests that relapse to smoking is likely to be more common among ex-smokers who vape infrequently or use less advanced devices. Research into the effects of vaping on relapse needs to consider vaping characteristics, including devices used and frequency of use. However, more research is needed to establish a causal relationship between vaping and relapse to smoking.
Citation
Brose LS, Bowen J, McNeill A, Partos TR. Associations between vaping and relapse to smoking: preliminary findings from a longitudinal survey in the UK. Harm reduction journal. 2019;16(1):76. doi:10.1186/s12954-019-0344-0
