Prevalence of withdrawal symptoms from electronic cigarette cessation: a cross-sectional analysis of the US Population assessment of Tobacco and health.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of the prevalence of withdrawal symptoms from electronic cigarette (EC) cessation using data from the US Population assessment of Tobacco and health Survey. The study compares the withdrawal symptoms of EC users to those of tobacco cigarette (TC) users and examines the difference in withdrawal symptoms between successful and unsuccessful attempts to stop EC and TC use. The analysis also explores the impact of dual use of ECs and TCs on withdrawal symptoms.

Key Points:

* The study used data from the US Population assessment of Tobacco and health Survey, a population-based, longitudinal cohort survey of US adults.
* The analysis focused on wave 2 of the PaTh, conducted between 10/14 and 10/15.
* The study included current or past established daily or some-day use of nicotine-containing ECs or TCs and a successful or unsuccessful attempt to stop EC or TC use.
* The analysis compared withdrawal symptoms in five groups: EC-only users who stopped ECs, TC-only users who stopped TCs, dual users who stopped ECs but not TCs, dual users who stopped TCs but not ECs, and dual users who stopped both ECs and TCs.
* The study found that a minority of US adult EC users who stopped ECs reported at least one withdrawal symptom (40% among exclusive EC users and 30% among dual users).
* EC withdrawal was less than TC withdrawal among both exclusive EC users (33% –45% less) and dual users (37% –73% less).
* Dual users who stopped ECs and continued TCs reported non-significantly less withdrawal than EC-only users who stopped ECs, while dual users who stopped TCs and continued ECs reported more withdrawal than exclusive TC users who stopped TCs.

Main Message:
The study provides valuable insights into the prevalence and severity of withdrawal symptoms from EC cessation. The findings suggest that EC withdrawal is less severe than TC withdrawal, and that continuing TC use can abate EC withdrawal. however, dual users who stop TCs and continue ECs may experience more withdrawal symptoms than exclusive TC users who stop TCs. The study highlights the need for further research to better understand the impact of EC and TC use on withdrawal symptoms and to inform regulatory decisions related to these products.

hughes JR, Callas PW. Prevalence of withdrawal symptoms from electronic cigarette cessation: a cross-sectional analysis of the US Population assessment of Tobacco and health. addictive Behaviors. 2019;91:234-237. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2018.07.002