Prospective association between e-cigarette use frequency patterns and cigarette smoking abstinence among adult cigarette smokers in the United States.

Introduction:
This research report examines the association between e-cigarette use frequency patterns and cigarette smoking abstinence among adult cigarette smokers in the United States. The study uses marginal structural models and data from the Population assessment of Tobacco and health (PaTh) to estimate the association between vaping frequency across two waves and 12-month sustained cigarette smoking abstinence at a later wave. The study also adjusts for time-dependent confounders and selection bias due to drop-out.

Key Points:

* The study included 5699 adults who smoked cigarettes and did not vape at the beginning of the study.
* The exposure was vaping frequency at two time points, representing nine possible combinations of vaping frequency across the two waves.
* The primary outcome was sustained 12-month cigarette smoking abstinence at a later wave.
* Compared to nonuse at both waves, daily vaping at both waves and non-use at wave 2 followed by daily vaping at wave 3 were positively associated with smoking abstinence.
* Non-daily vaping at both waves was inversely associated with smoking abstinence.
* Results persisted after accounting for misclassification of e-cigarette use and cigarette smoking abstinence and after restricting to participants with plans to quit smoking.

Main Message:
The study found that consistent daily vaping is associated with increased chances of cigarette smoking abstinence, while consistent non-daily vaping is associated with decreased chances of smoking abstinence. These findings suggest that the frequency of e-cigarette use may be an important factor in achieving cigarette smoking abstinence. however, it is important to note that the study does not establish causality and further research is needed to confirm these findings. additionally, the potential harms of non-daily patterns of e-cigarette use should also be considered in the assessment of the net population effect on smoking. Overall, the study provides valuable insights into the relationship between e-cigarette use frequency patterns and cigarette smoking abstinence, which can inform regulatory decisions and public health efforts to reduce cigarette smoking.

harlow aF, Stokes aC, Brooks DR, et al. Prospective association between e-cigarette use frequency patterns and cigarette smoking abstinence among adult cigarette smokers in the United States. addiction (abingdon, England). 2022;117(12):3129-3139. doi:10.1111/add.16009