AMA Internal Medicine. Efficacy of Electronic Cigarettes vs Varenicline and Nicotine Chewing Gum
Lin H, et al. JAMA Internal Medicine. Efficacy of Electronic Cigarettes vs Varenicline and Nicotine Chewing Gum as an Aid to Stop Smoking: A Randomized Clinical Trial. 29 Jan 2024https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2814489
Hatsukami DK, et al. JAMA Internatl Medicine. Electronic Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation—A Clinician’s Dilemma. 29 Jan 2024 (Invited Commentary Discusses the Limitations of this Trial)
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/2814496
Comment: This trial does not compare electronic cigarettes with multiple nicotine replacement therapies, a preferred US cessation method. It finds comparable levels of cessation from varenicline and e-cigarettes. However, authors of the commentary on the clinical trial note that at 6 months following the trial, 63% of e-cigarette subjects were still using e-cigarettes. They were not abstinent from nicotine (emphasis added) but just switched to nicotine in e-cigarettes. In addition, dual use of combustible cigarettes and e-cigarettes is common with continued e-cigarette use. Despite these crucial limitations of e-cigarette cessation, some physicians seem addicted to e-cigarettes as a cessation option.
Stephen Hamann
