Summary
Introduction:
This text is a longitudinal cohort study on the relationship between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation in dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. The study also examines the impact of formal tobacco treatment on smoking cessation in this population. The study uses prospectively maintained data from the Barnes Jewish hospital / Washington University School of Medicine electronic health record.
Key Points:
* The study included 111823 unique patients who were currently smoking and were evaluated at Barnes Jewish hospital / Washington University School of Medicine between June 2018 and June 2020.
* The prevalence of dual use of cigarettes and e-cigarettes increased significantly over the study period, while the prevalence of smoking cessation at 12 months was higher among e-cigarette users compared to non-users.
* among dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes, the prevalence of smoking cessation at 12-months was higher among individuals who received tobacco treatment compared to individuals who did not receive tobacco treatment.
* The study controlled for age, sex, race, comorbidities, medical service, and cohort number in assessing factors associated with e-cigarette use and smoking cessation.
* a sensitivity analysis was performed among patients with available pack-year smoking history to verify that the association between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation was independent from the degree of nicotine dependence.
* The study found that among patients who were dual users of both cigarettes and e-cigarettes, formal tobacco treatment with either smoking deterrent pharmacotherapy and/or behavioral support resulted in higher rates of smoking cessation.
* The study suggests that individuals seen in an outpatient setting who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes still benefit from traditional forms of tobacco treatment.
Main Message:
The main message of the text is that dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes benefit from formal tobacco treatment. Clinicians should consider offering formal tobacco treatment to such patients, though future trials are needed to confirm these findings. This is important information for healthcare providers who treat patients who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes and are looking for effective ways to help them quit smoking.
Citation
heiden BT, Baker TB, Smock N, et al. assessment of formal tobacco treatment and smoking cessation in dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes. Thorax. Published online July 20, 2022. doi:10.1136/thorax-2022-218680
