Summary
Introduction:
This text provides an analysis of a longitudinal cohort study that examines the long-term effectiveness and safety of electronic cigarettes (e-cig) compared to traditional smoking devices. The study follows participants for six years and compares the outcomes of e-cig users, tobacco smokers, and dual users (those who use both e-cig and tobacco). The analysis includes data on smoking cessation, reduction, and harm reduction.
Key Points:
* The study recruited participants through general practitioners, internet advertisements, social networks, and e-cig shops.
* Participants were classified into three groups: e-cig users, tobacco smokers, and dual users.
* The study outcomes included smoking cessation, reduction, and harm reduction.
* Safety data were collected through self-reporting and hospital discharge abstracts.
* The study found that after six years, there was no evidence of harm reduction among e-cig or dual users.
* The complete switch to e-cig might support tobacco quitters remain abstinent, but the use of e-cig in addition to tobacco did not improve smoking cessation or reduction.
* The study highlights the need for additional data on e-cig long-term effectiveness and safety to support public health policies.
Main Message:
The study emphasizes the importance of long-term data on e-cig effectiveness and safety to inform public health policies. The findings suggest that while e-cig may help some tobacco quitters remain abstinent, their use in addition to tobacco does not improve smoking cessation or reduction. Moreover, there is no evidence of harm reduction among e-cig or dual users. Therefore, policymakers should consider these findings when developing regulations for e-cig and other smoking cessation aids.
Citation
Flacco ME, Fiore M, Acuti Martellucci C, et al. Tobacco vs. electronic cigarettes: absence of harm reduction after six years of follow-up. European review for medical and pharmacological sciences. 2020;24(7):3923-3934. doi:10.26355/eurrev_202004_20859
