Will e-cig users quit for good, or revert to smoking?

This is the query that a recent study funded by Cancer Research UK is aiming to resolve, by studying the correlation between e-cigarette users and permanent smoking cessation success rates.

Diane Caruana

February 6, 2017

Researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) Norwich Medical School are looking for people who have used vaping products in order to quit smoking, both those who have either quit successfully or reverted back to smoking. This will help determine the effectiveness of the products for smoking cessation so that future ‘stop smoking’ initiatives can be formulated accordingly.

Evidence shows that e-cigs are effective in helping smokers quit, however there isn’t sufficient information yet about the relapse status of these vapers.

“Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of death worldwide, and up to two thirds of long-term smokers will die of a smoking-related disease.” said Dr Caitlin Notley from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, adding “But the risk can be considerably reduced by stopping smoking, and staying stopped. We need the help of people who have used e-cigarettes, so that we can better understand how they might be used most effectively in the future.”

To vape or not to vape

According to an article published last week on the NNA’s (New Nicotine Alliance) website, 90% of smokers who try to quit the deadly habit, end up reverting back to smoking. Dr. Notley pointed out that although evidence shows that electronic cigarettes are as effective, if not more, than other Nicotine Replacement Therapies (NRTs) in helping people quit, we do not have sufficient information yet about the relapse status of these e-cig users.

“This study will provide much needed qualitative evidence on e-cigarette use in relation to smoking relapse. This is essential to inform future development of e-cigarette-based smoking relapse prevention interventions. Our findings will be important for policy and practice recommendations, in particular to Stop Smoking services about the best way to advise members of the public wishing to remain stopped from smoking with the assistance of e-cigarettes.” concluded Dr. Notley.

Call for participants

Those interested in being part of this research can choose between being interviewed online, by phone or in person, and will be asked questions about their experiences and the results in relation to using electronic cigarettes to stop smoking. Any participants who are currently attempting to quit through vaping and need support may call on 0800 0854 113. Whilst those wishing to be part of the research may contact Dr Emma Ward by email at emma.ward@uea.ac.uk, by calling 01603 59230 or by texting 07765 072527, or check out the online version of the study at www.uea.ac.uk/medicine/research/addiction.