Electronic cigarettes, quit attempts and smoking cessation: a 6-month follow-up

Abstract

Background and aims: There is conflicting evidence that use of e-cigarettes promotes cessation in regular smokers, but contrasting findings may be due to differing definitions of vaping. The aim was to assess whether regular use of e-cigarettes while smoking is associated with subsequent smoking cessation.

Design: Baseline internet survey with outcomes measured at 6-month follow-up.

Setting: All French metropolitan territory.

Participants: A total of 2057 smokers aged 15-85 years were recruited through an access panel and responded to a 6-month follow-up: 1805 exclusive tobacco smokers and 252 dual users (tobacco plus regular e-cigarette users) at baseline.

Measurements: The three outcomes assessed at 6 months were: a minimum 50% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day, quit attempts of at least 7 days and smoking cessation of at least 7 days at the time of follow-up. Logistic regressions were performed to model the three outcomes according to regular e-cigarette use at baseline, adjusted for socio-economic variables and smoking behaviours.

Findings: Baseline dual users were more likely than baseline exclusive tobacco smokers to have halved cigarette consumption [25.9 versus 11.2%, P < 0.001, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.6, confidence interval (CI) = 1.8-3.8]. Dual users at baseline were also more likely to have made a quit attempt of at least 7 days (22.8 versus 10.9%, P < 0.001, aOR = 1.8, CI = 1.2-2.6). No significant difference was found for 7-day cessation rates at 6 months (12.5 versus 9.5%, P = 0.18, aOR = 1.2, CI = 0.8-1.9).

Conclusions: Among people who smoke, those also using an e-cigarette regularly are more likely to try to quit smoking and reduce their cigarette consumption during the next 6 months. It remains unclear whether regular e-cigarette users are also more likely to stop smoking.

Keywords: 6-month follow-up; France; electronic cigarette; quit attempts; smoking cessation; tobacco consumption.