Summary
Introduction:
This text provides a qualitative exploration of longer versus shorter quit attempts among adults using e-cigarettes for combustible cigarette cessation. The study analyzes 40 qualitative interviews to assess adults' experiences using e-cigarettes during their longest duration quit attempt, comparing those who quit smoking for ≽one month (n 20) to those who quit for shorter durations (n 20). Thematic and comparative content analyses were used to identify factors facilitating or impeding the duration of quit attempts when using e-cigarettes.
Key Points:
* The study found that the narratives of participants were mostly similar irrespective of their quit attempt duration.
* Six themes common across groups and themes more often discussed by people with shorter quit attempts were identified.
* Most participants discussed using e-cigarette devices and flavors to replace sensations similar to smoking combustible cigarettes or to distract themselves from cravings to smoke.
* E-cigarettes were described as useful for smoking cessation because they approximate combustible cigarette use, potentially reduce health-related harms, save money, and lead to reduced social stigma compared to smoking cigarettes.
* Those who reported shorter duration quit attempts shared e-cigarette product challenges, health concerns, and needs for support.
* The study highlights the need for additional research on the factors that may increase the likelihood that using e-cigarettes will result in longer and sustained e-cigarette-based quit attempts among adults.
Main Message:
The main message of this study is that the experiences of people who used e-cigarettes and quit smoking during a smoking cessation attempt for ≽1 month and D1 month were similar, except that those whose quit durations were shorter often reported challenges using e-cigarettes to quit and discontinued use. Most participants, regardless of their quit duration, frequently discussed using e-cigarettes and flavors to either replace sensations familiar in their cigarette use or to distract from their cravings for cigarettes. E-cigarettes were also described by the majority of participants as a useful cessation strategy due to the ability of e-cigarette products to approximate prior tobacco use experiences, potentially reduce health-related harms, save money, and reduce social stigma associated with smoking. however, additional research is needed to optimize e-cigarette use for quitting smoking cigarettes or reducing smoking-related harms.
Citation
Suttiratana SC, Morean ME, Krishnan-Sarin S, Bold KW. qualitative exploration of longer versus shorter quit attempts among adults using E-Cigarettes for combustible cigarette cessation. addictive behaviors. 2023;143:107710. doi:10.1016/j.addbeh.2023.107710
