Summary
Introduction:
This document summarizes a study on the effectiveness of e-cigarettes (EC) as a smoking cessation aid compared to nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) in a community pharmacy setting. The study is designed to evaluate the impact of offering EC as a cessation treatment alongside the pharmacy's usual care NRT protocol. Readers will learn about the study design, key findings, and the main message of the study.
Key Points:
* A non-randomized prospective cohort study with a between-subject design was conducted in a community pharmacy in Hertfordshire, England.
* Participants were smokers who were offered a range of cessation treatments, including EC, NRT, or a combination of both.
* The primary outcome was self-reported total smoking abstinence at 4-6 weeks follow-up, with CO validation taken where possible.
* Smokers opting for EC alone or with NRT were more likely to report complete abstinence from smoking at 4-6 weeks compared to NRT alone.
* The odds of quitting with an EC increased by 3.23, and the odds of quitting with EC + NRT increased by 3.14.
* The study was not randomized, and participants were able to choose their product after consultation, which may have introduced bias.
* Those choosing EC may present with different motivations, beliefs, and attitudes towards smoking and the use of ECs.
Main Message:
The study suggests that offering EC within a pharmacy setting may augment cessation rates and provide a more effective smoking cessation aid compared to NRT. However, more research is needed to determine whether these initial promising effects are sustained over a longer period. The study's limitations, such as the lack of randomization and potential bias, should also be taken into consideration when interpreting the results. Nonetheless, the study provides valuable insights into the potential benefits of offering EC as a smoking cessation aid in community pharmacies.
Citation
Cox S, Dawkins L, Doshi J, Cameron J. Effects of e-cigarettes versus nicotine replacement therapy on short-term smoking abstinence when delivered at a community pharmacy. Addictive behaviors reports. 2019;10:100202. doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2019.100202
