NRT doesn't work but don't try e-cigs...

[James]

NRT products don't work but don't try e-cigs says writer with "conflicts of interest" Medical News: Smoking Cessation Worth It Despite Dim Outcomes - in , ACP from MedPage Today

 

[Vocalek]

Submitted this comment:

If the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result, then Ong’s advice to smokers is “act insane.” The first survey of electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) users (n=303) found that 91% had attempted to stop smoking before trying e-cigarettes, 65% had tried and failed to quit 4 or more times, and 21% had tried more than 10 times. Of those who tried pharmaceutical products, only 1% reported they were able to stop smoking permanently. In contrast, 79% of the participants reported they were using e-cigarettes as a complete replacement for all their smoked cigarettes, and 91% felt their health had improved.

The largest survey to-date with 3587 responses, published in Addiction, showed similar success rates, with 70% of participants reporting they no longer smoke. Another survey of 222 first time purchasers of a particular brand of e-cigarettes found a success rate of 31%. A 6-month pilot clinical trial conducted by Italian researchers explored whether e-cigarettes could help 40 smokers unwilling to quit to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked. There was an overall 88% fall in cigarettes per day. To the surprise of the researchers, 22% of these inveterate smokers quit altogether.

Ong admits that over 40% of smokers have an active psychiatric or substance abuse disorder. It borders on impossible for people in this group to quit by becoming abstinent from nicotine, because nicotine is a self-medication that keeps their symptoms under control. This is where e-cigarettes shine. They provide the required nicotine and eliminate exposure to all the elements in smoke that cause lung disease, cardiovascular disease, and cancers.

Are e-cigarettes 100% safe? Of course not. Neither are any of the pharmaceutical treatments Ong recommends. The big question is, “How safe is it to continue smoking for several more years?”

 

[James]

That's a fantastic reply, Vocalek!

 

[TennDave]

The article now links me to the Apollo E-Cig site....am I missing something here?

 

[Vocalek]

Dave, the page has ads on it, so it's possible that the ad for that site was accidentally hit on as you used the scroll bar. I've had that happen to me in various places on the net.

I clicked the link in the OP and went right to the story. The comments are here: Comments

 

[TennDave]

Thanks Elaine- found it! But then, there's that idiot Electricman again, spouting untruths...I just can't stand seeing him in any of the forums or reading his comments. Makes me want to take something and commit a homicide- seriously. Anyway, 60mg of nicotine, according to him is enough to kill someone who weighs 150lbs. Someone really needs to put him in his place. I bet he's paid by the ANTZ.

 

[Vocalek]

Life's but a walking shadow, a poor player
That struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more: it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury,
Signifying nothing.

Macbeth, Act V, Scene 5

 

[Petrodus]

The world is full of liars
Some just have more influence on others

Interesting how many elected officials come down with a sudden case
of pseudo amnesia and laryngitis ... After elections.