April 21, 2015

e-cigarettes – do they help cut down or quit smoking?

Evidence of the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation or reduction aids is still limited. Two new studies investigate whether frequency of use and type of e-cigarette affect whether users either cut down or stop smoking cigarettes. We also provided roundup comments to accompany this briefing.How do the results of these two surveys (one to be published in the journal Addiction, and the other in Nicotine & Tobacco Research) fit in with other evidence?

Some of the authors came to the SMC to discuss:

– How robust is the evidence we have on e-cigarette use and smoking cessation and reduction?

– If used daily, do e-cigarettes help people reduce smoking?

– Does frequent e-cigarette use help people fully quit smoking?

– Do certain types of e-cigarette work better than others (cigalike or tank models)?

– Does all data on e-cigarette effectiveness show similar results so far?

– What are the benefits to health of quitting relative to cutting down cigarette smoking?

Speakers:

Prof. Ann McNeill, Professor of Tobacco Addiction, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London

Dr Leonie Brose, Lecturer in Addictions, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London

Dr Sara Hitchman, Lecturer in Addictions, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience (IoPPN), King’s College London