Etter study finds e-cigarettes help smokers quit

[Bill Godshall]

Following are key excerpts from an embargoed press release from BMC Public Health announcing the new e-cigarette study by Etter at:
http://www.biomedcentral.com/imedia/1440477701319135_article.pdf?random=19859


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Users believe electronic cigarettes can help you quit


Electronic cigarettes, or 'E-cigarettes', are used mainly to quit smoking, and may be useful for this purpose. Researchers writing in the open access journal /BMC Public Health/ polled 81 users and former users of the devices, finding that although the majority was happy with them, several concerns remain unaddressed.


Jean-François Etter, from the University of Geneva, Switzerland, carried out the research. He said, "Currently, there is a difficult balance between the need to protect consumers and the possibility now being offered to smokers to use a new, acceptable and potentially effective device to stop smoking. Given the enormous burden of disease and death caused by tobacco smoking, there is an urgent need for research into the toxicity, efficacy and public health impact of e-cigarettes".


Almost all of the respondents (95%) had found e-cigarettes at least somewhat helpful to stop smoking. However, users were concerned about potential toxicity. Poor quality, lack of reliability and frequent failures were also mentioned by several of the people surveyed. Summarizing the responses, Etter said, "Although users' comments were generally positive, many were concerned about safety and toxicity, and questioned why no study has yet investigated these aspects. Several respondents were also concerned about the future legal status of e-cigarettes, and that they may possibly be banned. Very few studies have investigated these devices and research is now urgently required".


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Notes to Editors


1. Electronic cigarettes: a survey of users Jean-Francois Etter /BMC Public Health/ (in press)


During embargo, article available here: http://www.biomedcentral.com/imedia/1440477701319135_article.pdf?random=19859


After the embargo, article available at the journal website: BMC Public Health

 

[Vocalek]

Here is a link to CASAA's press release.

Consumer Group Applauds Positive Findings on Electronic Cigarettes

 

[ckc]

Did the FDA infact find DG in the vapour? I thought they hadn't tested the vapour?

Analyses
conducted by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) showed that the vapour
produced by e-cigarettes contains carcinogens, including nitrosamines, toxic chemicals such
as diethylene glycol, and tobacco-specific components suspected of being harmful to humans
(anabasine, myosmine, and beta-nicotyrine)

It doesn't really read very well and of course that is just my opinion.

(thanks CASAA for telling the truth)

 

[jiff]

They always forget to mention the DG was in ONE cart of 16 at LESS THAN 1%.

 

[opyrus]

seems like the is a step in the right direction the truth is coming out finally.

 

[Bill Godshall]

The UPI article on Etter's study is at

E-cigarettes helpful in quitting smoking
E-cigarettes helpful in quitting smoking - UPI.com

 

[D103]

I still think we need to be extremely careful how much the idea of "quitting altogether" is promoted and 'put out there' While I applaud anyone who makes that choice for him/herself, as Elaine and many others have pointed out, there are many of us who will continue to choose to vape as a safer alternative to smoking. The 'slippery road' to promoting the efficacy re: quitting altogether, is to run the very real risk of being characterized as a type of smoking-cessation product and the equally real risk of having limits put on re: amounts of nicotine, availability (they could suggest prescription only and only for a short period of use) limited flavors and e-cig models, etc.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Only e-cigarette marketers are prohibited from truthfully claiming that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking.

Everyone else has a 1st Amendment right to make that truthful claim.

 

[thelook]

Only e-cigarette marketers are prohibited from truthfully claiming that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking.

Everyone else has a 1st Amendment right to make that truthful claim.

well said...........

 

[Vocalek]

I have come up with new language to describe how and why I am using an e-cigarette: It allowed me to achieve and to maintain "smoking abstinence."

Nicotine abstinence is not a workable option for me: It makes me sick.

So as far as my personal health goes, it's a win all the way around. My smoking abstinence allowed me to regain my physical health, without requiring me to sacrifice my cognitive and emotional health--the price I pay for nicotine abstinence.

 

[Kate51]

Well said, Vocalek, and creative!

 

[D103]

Only e-cigarette marketers are prohibited from truthfully claiming that e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking.

Everyone else has a 1st Amendment right to make that truthful claim.

I didn't say anything about anyone's "Right" to make such a claim! I merely stated an opinion that it 'may be' inadviseable to promote, too hard, the fact that some people do indeed quit altogether - and I explained the reasons why I think this way. Just an opinion.