An observational study from the University of London has confirmed a positive correlation between e-cigarette use and success in quitting traditional cigarettes. The article was published in The BMJ, one of the world's most prestigious medical journals, on September 14. The study counters concerns that e-cigarette use will discourage smokers from actually quitting. The results are consistent with that published in another report in the Cochrane Library.
Researchers at University College London collected data from the Smoking Toolkit Study, an information tool that aims to provide the public with the latest news and statistics about smoking and quitting in the UK, and took part in a household survey of children aged 16 and over.
The study found that 18,000 fewer people smoked in the UK last year due to the use of e-cigarettes. “Although this is a relatively small number, it is clinically significant because of the large benefits that people can achieve after quitting,” the study authors said. They calculated that a 40-year-old smoker who quits can expect to live an additional nine years compared to those who do not. This is in line with a report from the Georgetown Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center that found a 21% reduction in smoking-related deaths and a 20% increase in life expectancy after switching to vaping.
As this was an observational study, firm conclusions cannot be drawn. However, e-cigarette use was negatively associated with NRT, suggesting that vapers had previously tried other nicotine replacement therapies. This is not surprising, as previous discussions have suggested that vaping is the most effective way to quit smoking, as it mimics the sensation of smoking.
ASH Ireland, an anti-smoking organisation, welcomed the research and the information it provided, however, its chairman, Dr Patrick Doorley, said that as vaping products are still new to the market, they still need more data on the harms and benefits, and for now, they are keeping an eye on the vaping market and ongoing research. This is in stark contrast to research from the Royal College of Physicians in the UK which found that vaping is 95% safer than smoking.
Why is there still so much apprehension towards vaping?
Dr Doorley pointed out that although e-cigarettes are believed to be safer than conventional cigarettes, there are concerns about the long-term effects of use, saying “ASH Ireland still advises caution when using e-cigarettes until there is more clarity and more restrictive legislation”, adding that authorities feel more comfortable with smokers using nicotine replacement therapies in pharmacies as they are considered effective and safe and reminding the public that they should only use vaping if absolutely necessary.
Statements like these are the kind that will generate a lot of backlash from health activists and anti-tobacco experts, who believe that there is now enough evidence and research to prove the benefits of vaping products and the biggest problem is that this information is not being communicated to the public.
This article was published on Vapingpost by Diane Caruana and translated by The Vape Club
