Physicians for a Smoke-Free Canada (PSFC) summarize and explain different research conclusions on e-cigarettes for cessation
“This post reports on the conflicting (and missing) evidence on the effects of using e-cigarettes for smoking cessation.” https://gem.godaddy.com/p/70c6161
The findings they summarize come from the Australian review of the evidence on electronic cigarettes by Banks, previously posted by TRC:
“There was limited evidence that using freebase nicotine e-cigarettes with clinical support was more effective than NRT or nothing;
- There was no evidence that these e-cigarettes worked outside of clinical settings;
- There was insufficient evidence that freebase nicotine e-cigarettes were effective when used outside a clinical context;
- There was no evidence on the usefulness of nicotine salt products (found in capsule and disposable cigarettes) for cessation;
- There was insufficient evidence that free-base nicotine e-cigarettes were more effective than those without nicotine.”
Why do those who support e-cigarettes insist they should be used for cessation? In England, the health authorities are even providing free e-cigarette starter kits. PSFC explains how different research conclusions on the utility of e-cigarettes develop: “How can similarly-trained researchers consider the same body of evidence and produce such different conclusions? Factors that may play a role are the independence of the reviewers, their choice of studies to include and exclude, the role of the tobacco industry, the preferences of publishers, and geography.”
The PSFC analyzes results in a recent Cochrane Tobacco Addiction Group report, showing how its review of only five studies provided such positive enthusiasm for e-cigarettes.
It is important to understand how conflicting results and conclusions come from a review of the same research studies. It is also important to note that there is limited support outside the UK for e-cigarettes as an effective population-based cessation method because questions about e-cigarette safety and effectiveness are still unresolved.
Stephen Hamann
