Benefits of e-cigarettes in smoking reduction and in pulmonary health among chronic smokers undergoing a lung cancer screening program at 6 months.

Introduction:
This text provides a summary of a study examining the benefits of e-cigarettes in smoking reduction and pulmonary health among chronic smokers undergoing a lung cancer screening program. The study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial, where participants were divided into three groups: nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine-free e-cigarettes, and a control group. all participants received a three-month cessation program that included a cognitive-behavioral intervention to support behavior change and improve motivation to quit. The study's key points include the effects of e-cigarettes on pulmonary health and their effectiveness in reducing tobacco consumption.

Key Points:

* The study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial with 210 participants, divided into three groups: nicotine e-cigarettes, nicotine-free e-cigarettes, and a control group.
* all participants received a three-month cessation program that included a cognitive-behavioral intervention.
* Pulmonary health, assessed with self-reported measures, clinical evaluations, and the Leicester Cough questionnaire, improved in participants who stopped smoking compared to their own baseline.
* No differences in pulmonary health were found between groups.
* Statistical tests showed a significant effect of Group on daily cigarette consumption: after six months, participants in the nicotine e-cigarette group smoked fewer cigarettes than any other group.
* Participants in the nicotine e-cigarette group showed the lowest level of exhaled carbon monoxide (CO) and the lowest level of dependence compared to the nicotine-free e-cigarette and control conditions.
* after six months, about 20% of the entire sample stopped smoking, and participants who used e-cigarettes with nicotine smoked fewer tobacco cigarettes than any other group (p < .020).

Main Message:
The study's findings suggest that e-cigarettes, especially those with nicotine, can help smokers reduce tobacco consumption and improve pulmonary health status. The data support the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation programs. however, further research is needed to assess the long-term effects of e-cigarette use and their role in promoting smoking cessation in different settings.

Lucchiari C, Masiero M, Mazzocco K, et al. Benefits of e-cigarettes in smoking reduction and in pulmonary health among chronic smokers undergoing a lung cancer screening program at 6 months. addictive behaviors. 2020;103:106222. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2019.106222