The role of electronic cigarette use for quitting or reducing combustible cigarette use in the 30s: Longitudinal changes and moderated relationships.

Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a longitudinal study examining the relationship between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation among smokers in their 30s. The study aimed to identify potential moderators that may influence the effects of e-cigarette use on quitting smoking.

Key Points:

* The study had a sample size of 221 smokers at age 33, with a retention rate of 88% at age 39.
* E-cigarette use was assessed at age 39, and the study found that e-cigarette initiation was associated with less smoking cessation.
* The study controlled for frequency of prior cigarette use at age 33 and found that the negative association between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation persisted.
* The study examined potential moderators, including social demographics, smoking attitudes and desire to quit, other health behaviors and status, and adolescent and early adult assessments of smoking history.
* The negative association between e-cigarette use and smoking cessation was consistent across all moderators examined, although it was not significant among those with a definite desire to cut down.
* among those who did not quit smoking, e-cigarette use had no association with decreases in either quantity of cigarettes used or dependence symptoms.
* The study suggests that e-cigarette use was not helpful for quitting or reducing combustible cigarette use in the 30s and that e-cigarette initiation consistently predicted less quitting during this important age period for successful cessation.

Main Message:
The main message of the text is that e-cigarette use was not helpful for quitting or reducing combustible cigarette use in the 30s. In fact, e-cigarette initiation consistently predicted less quitting during this important age period for successful cessation. The study's findings suggest that e-cigarette use may not be an effective tool for smoking cessation and highlight the need for further research to better understand the potential risks and benefits associated with e-cigarette use.

Kosterman R, Epstein M, Bailey Ja, Furlong M, hawkins JD. The role of electronic cigarette use for quitting or reducing combustible cigarette use in the 30s: Longitudinal changes and moderated relationships. Drug and alcohol dependence. 2021;227:108940. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108940