Study finds US smokers who have used e-cigs daily (for at least a month) are six times more likely to have quit smoking than smokers who haven't vaped

[Bill Godshall]

Study finds US smokers who have used e-cigs daily (for at least a month) are six times more likely to have quit smoking than smokers who haven't vaped.
A Longitudinal Study of Electronic Ciga - PubMed Mobile


[h=2]A Longitudinal Study of Electronic Cigarette Use in a Population-based Sample of Adult Smokers: Association with Smoking Cessation and Motivation to Quit.[/h][h=3]Authors[/h]Biener L, et al. Show all[h=3]Journal[/h]Nicotine Tob Res. 2014 Oct 9. pii: ntu200. [Epub ahead of print]
[h=3]Affiliation[/h]
[h=3]Abstract[/h]Aims: Increasingly popular electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) may be the most promising development yet to end cigarette smoking. However, there is sparse evidence that their use promotes cessation. We investigated whether e-cigarette use increases smoking cessation and/or has a deleterious effect on quitting smoking and motivation to quit. Methods: Representative samples of adults in two U.S. metropolitan areas were surveyed in 2011/2012 about their use of novel tobacco products. In 2014, follow-up interviews were conducted with 695 of the 1374 baseline cigarette smokers who had agreed to be re-contacted (retention rate: 51%). The follow-up interview assessed their smoking status and history of electronic cigarette usage. Respondents were categorized as intensive users (used e-cigarettes daily for at least one month), intermittent users (used regularly, but not daily for more than one month), and non-users/triers (used ecigarettes at most once or twice). Results: At follow-up, 23% were intensive users, 29% intermittent users, 18% had used once or twice, and 30% hadn't tried e-cigarettes. Logistic regression controlling for demographics and tobacco dependence indicated that intensive users of e-cigarettes were 6 times as likely as non-users/triers to report that they quit smoking (O.R. 6.07, 95% C.I. 1.11, 33.2). No such relationship was seen for intermittent users. There was a negative association between intermittent e-cigarette use and one of two indicators of motivation to quit at follow-up. Conclusions: Daily use of electronic cigarettes for at least one month is strongly associated with quitting smoking at follow up. Further investigation of the underlying reasons for intensive versus intermittent use will help shed light on the mechanisms underlying the associations between e-cigarette use, motivation to quit and smoking cessation.

 

[Augmented Dog]

Nice to read something positive for a change!

 

[Roccov]

Thanks for sharing. Enjoy the day![emoji6]

 

[DC2]

Further investigation of the underlying reasons for intensive versus intermittent use will help shed light on the mechanisms underlying the associations between e-cigarette use, motivation to quit and smoking cessation.

I believe I can answer that question in one word...

Satisfaction.

 

[bigdancehawk]

I believe I can answer that question in one word...

Satisfaction.

More advanced devices are more satisfying, so I'd bet it has something to do with product choices. I doubt the researchers asked about that.

 

[dragonpuff]

More advanced devices are more satisfying, so I'd bet it has something to do with product choices. I doubt the researchers asked about that.

Therein lies the difference between a study that gives people one model of e-cigarette, and one that allows participants to choose whatever works for them - much higher reported quit rates

 

[Katya]

Is anyone (Bill G., Julie) sending those findings to the FDA (Zeller) or the CDC? Is there a way to do it?

 

[Anjaffm]

excellent find and excellent study result

 

[DrMA]

And that's why RCT's are a ridiculous proposition when it comes to studying smoking cessation by any means, including NRT and ecigs.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Some more details of the study's findings.

2014 follow-up survey of 695 smokers (in 2011/12) in Dallas & Indianapolis metro areas (the latter of which banned smoking and vaping in workplaces in 2012) finds:
- smokers who used e-cigs daily (for at least a month) were 6 times more likely to quit smoking than smokers who never vaped or who vaped just once or twice,
- smokers aged 18-30 were 15 times more likely to quit smoking than those aged 50-65,
- smokers with college degree were 8 times more likely quit smoking than those without,
- 23% of 2011/12 smokers have used e-cigs daily for at least a month,
- 29% of 2011/12 smokers have used e-cigs intermittently (i.e. occasionally),
- 18% of 2011/12 smokers have used an e-cig just once or twice, and
- 30% of 2011/12 smokers have never tried using an e-cig.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Katya inquired:

Is anyone (Bill G., Julie) sending those findings to the FDA (Zeller) or the CDC? Is there a way to do it?

I sent it to lots of ANTZ (including those at FDA and CDC), vapers, e-cig companies, tobacco companies and news reporters.

But don't expect the ANTZ who consider all vapers to be just "anecdotes" to change their ideology (no matter how much evidence is sent to them, as I've sent them virtually all the scientific evidence on e-cigs since 2008).

The best we can hope for is to convince undecided and objective folks.

 

[rothenbj]

I was at the dentist yesterday. One of the people waiting was reading a magazine with an APV in his hand. No one in the waiting area was the least bit concerned. The message is getting out, at least to the non-TC types.

 

[Kent C]

The best we can hope for is to convince undecided and objective folks.

Pure wisdom.

 

[Bill Godshall]

An article on Breitbart has cited this study.
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-London/2014/10/16/WHO-Secret-Meetings-Over-Tobacco-Control

 

[Nate760]

No transparency + no accountability = Total impunity

The WHO uses the same playbook as every totalitarian regime that ever came down the pike.

 

[Buster282]

Great find and thanks for you tireless efforts Bill. One thing that this study doesn't account for is the progression of e cig users like myself, probably others as well. I started with e-gos and small cheap tanks. I was still smoking, but had cut down considerably. Then slightly bigger tanks, batteries. Then a better mod, better tank. Now I have new vv/vw mods with Nautilus BVC tanks. A very satisfying vape for me. Also took me a while to find a ADV juice I liked. This journey/progression has taken me 12 months. And, I finally have stopped smoking now!! maybe 2 months ago. So, I was a duel user for quite a while. I know that the FDA likes to throw the duel user krap around as well. Hopefully with these new favorable studies and vapor activism things can go forward smoothly, successfully.

 

[Bill Godshall]

Mike Siegel has posted two things on his blog about this new study.

Mike Siegel: New cohort survey study shows that intensive e-cigarette use greatly increases chances of quitting smoking
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/10/new-cohort-survey-study-shows-that.html

Mike Siegel: New research suggests that anti smoking groups’ propaganda about electronic cigarettes’ harms is causing tragic consequences
http://tobaccoanalysis.blogspot.com/2014/10/new-research-suggests-that-anti-smoking.html

 

[Nate760]

However, the study also shows that for a number of reasons, many smokers do not become intensive e-cigarette users, and these individuals do not appear to gain any benefit from e-cigarettes in terms of smoking cessation. Trying to identify the factors that impede progression to more intensive electronic cigarette use could help to discover ways to make e-cigarettes more appealing and more likely to lead to more regular and sustained use. This would in turn increase the value of these products for smoking cessation.

To me, this paragraph is emblematic of the flaws in Dr. Siegel's worldview, which remains much closer to "tobacco control" than "tobacco harm reduction."

He simply can't wrap his head around the fact that some people like to smoke and don't want to quit. He believes (quite incorrectly) that all smokers have an innate desire to quit, and that if they try e-cigs and fail to stop smoking, then there must be some sort of problem with the devices themselves. He seems unwilling to indulge even the slightest possibility that some smokers enjoy smoking, are fully cognizant of the health risks, and choose to smoke anyway. This thinking is misguided and wrongheaded on a whole host of different levels.

 

[Katya]

No transparency + no accountability = Total impunity

The WHO uses the same playbook as every totalitarian regime that ever came down the pike.

It's a fine playbook. If you can get away with it...

 

[Katya]

An article on Breitbart has cited this study.
http://www.breitbart.com/Breitbart-London/2014/10/16/WHO-Secret-Meetings-Over-Tobacco-Control

Straight from another playbook. First you identify and properly demonize your enemy and then you can do whatever you want to him--nobody will oppose you. Smokers are evil. Period. Everybody knows that. Remember those days when this rabid anti-smoking campaign started?

Rampant Antismoking Signifies Grave Danger

Thanks DC2 for reminding me...