The association between frequency of e-cigarette use and long-term smoking cessation outcomes among treatment-seeking smokers receiving a behavioral intervention.

Introduction:
This text summarizes the results of a study examining the relationship between frequency of e-cigarette use and future smoking cessation in a large sample of treatment-seeking smokers who are receiving treatment for smoking cessation. The study found that daily e-cigarette use was associated with a lower likelihood of smoking abstinence at 1-year, and this effect may be especially pronounced for smokers with lower levels of nicotine dependence and those who initiate e-cigarette use after beginning a behavioral intervention.

Key Points:

* The study was a secondary analysis of data from a large trial of two web-based smoking interventions.
* The study found that daily e-cigarette use was associated with a lower likelihood of smoking abstinence at 1-year, even after controlling for potential confounders.
* The effect of daily e-cigarette use on cessation was especially pronounced for smokers with lower levels of nicotine dependence.
* The study also found that initiating daily e-cigarette use after starting a behavioral intervention was associated with lower odds of quitting than those who never initiate e-cigarette use.
* The study did not find a significant difference in quit rates between non-users and those who used e-cigarettes intermittently.
* The study did not biochemically verify smoking abstinence, which is a limitation.
* The study's findings suggest that daily e-cigarette use may hinder cessation for some treatment-seeking smokers, particularly those with lower levels of nicotine dependence and those who initiate e-cigarette use after beginning a behavioral intervention.

Main Message:
The study's findings suggest that daily e-cigarette use may not be an effective cessation aid for treatment-seeking smokers, particularly those with lower levels of nicotine dependence and those who initiate e-cigarette use after beginning a behavioral intervention. Further research is needed to better understand the relationship between frequency of e-cigarette use and cessation outcomes in this population. additionally, it is important for healthcare providers to consider the potential limitations of e-cigarettes as a cessation aid when working with treatment-seeking smokers.

Watson NL, Mull KE, Bricker JB. The association between frequency of e-cigarette use and long-term smoking cessation outcomes among treatment-seeking smokers receiving a behavioral intervention. Drug and alcohol dependence. 2021;218:108394. doi:10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2020.108394