Vaping for weight control: Findings from a qualitative study.

Introduction:
This text is a summary of a qualitative study exploring the factors that influence attitudes towards, and awareness of, e-cigarettes and weight control among smokers who have quit or reduced smoking. The study found limited awareness and inclination to vape to prevent weight gain after quitting smoking. The findings provide little support for the promotion of e-cigarettes to prevent weight gain following smoking cessation.

Key Points:

* The study involved focus groups with adults in the UK who were exclusive vapers or dual users.
* There was limited awareness and/or inclination to vape to prevent weight gain after quitting smoking.
* Reasons for this include the belief that the health gains of quitting smoking outweigh any potential weight gain, a lack of understanding of the appetite-suppressing effects of nicotine, and concerns about the long-term effects of e-cigarettes on health.
* Participants were also concerned about the ethics of promoting vaping as a way to support smoking cessation by limiting weight gain, particularly for young women.
* There was a lack of understanding about why nicotine might help prevent weight gain and a concern that e-cigarette flavors could provoke cravings and that vaping may be unsafe in the long-term.
* Women, particularly younger women, were more likely to be concerned about gaining weight after quitting smoking than men.
* Men were more likely to believe that excess weight could be controlled through exercise, diet, and will power.

Main Message:
The main message of this summary is that there is limited awareness and inclination to vape to prevent weight gain after quitting smoking. Participants in the study do not appear inclined to use e-cigarettes to prevent weight gain after smoking cessation. There is a lack of understanding about why nicotine might help prevent weight gain and a concern that e-cigarette flavors could provoke cravings and that vaping may be unsafe in the long-term. additionally, women were more likely to be concerned about gaining weight after quitting smoking than men. These findings suggest that there is a need for more education and awareness about the potential benefits of using e-cigarettes to prevent weight gain after quitting smoking, as well as the potential risks. It is important for regulatory bodies to consider these factors when developing guidelines and regulations around the use of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.

Dobbie F, Uny I, Jackson SE, Brown J, aveyard P, Bauld L. Vaping for weight control: Findings from a qualitative study. addictive behaviors reports. 2020;12:100275. doi:10.1016/j.abrep.2020.100275