Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes are often used by smokers as a smoking cessation aid.
In this short article, let's see what their efficacy is in comparison to NRT (nicotine replacement therapy) and Varenicline (one of the medications available for quitting smoking).
A new study conducted at seven hospital sites in China used participants who had been smoking at least 10 cigarettes per day for the past five years and who were motivated to quit. Participants were not currently using any stop-smoking medications or e-cigarettes. Participants were randomized to receive a cartridge-based e-cig (nicotine salt 30 mg/mL for 2 weeks, followed by 50 mg/mL thereafter), Varenicline at standard doses or nicotine chewing gum 2 mg (for smokers of ≤ 20 cigarettes/day) or 4 mg (> 20 cigarettes/day). All products were provided for 12 weeks and accompanied by minimal behavioural support. The primary outcome was sustained abstinence from smoking at six months.
In conclusion, e-cigs were as effective as Varenicline and more effective than nicotine chewing gum, when all treatments were provided with minimal behavioural support. However; the authors pointed out that almost 63% of individuals in the e-cig group were still using e-cigs at the six-month study endpoint, while no further use of study medications was seen in the other two groups.Â
The most common adverse reactions were throat and mouth irritation in the e-cigs and NRT groups and nausea in the Varenicline group.
A very important point to keep in mind is, although switching to e-cigs is expected to pose fewer health risks than continued smoking, some adverse health outcomes of long-term e-cig use are likely and further studies are needed to assess the relative benefits and harms of ongoing e-cig use.
Are you a smoker and concerned/interested about the link between smoking and hair loss? Read about smoking and an increased risk for hair loss in our other blog post here:
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Reference:
Lin HX, Liu Z, Hajek P, et al. Efficacy of electronic cigarettes vs varenicline and nicotine chewing gum as an aid to stop smoking. A randomized clinical trial. JAMA Intern Med 2024. Published online January 29, 2024. (accessed February 1, 2024).
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