A growing number of studies show that e-cigarettes are effective smoking cessation aids. This is according to a new Cochrane report on smokers who have tried different methods.
"We see clear evidence that e-cigarettes are twice as effective compared to nicotine gums and patches" says Jamie Hartmann-Boyce from the Cochrane Tobacco Addiction group to Reuters.
Vaping, or e-cigarettes, increase the chances of smokers quitting. According to an updated report in the respected Chochrane Library it is almost twice as effective as traditional nicotine medicines.
"Unlike gum and patches, e-cigarettes give smokers an experience similar to that of a cigarette. They get nicotine, and the feeling of smoking, without exposing themselves or their surroundings to cigarette smoke" write the researchers behind the report.
Cochrane is a global network of researchers, healthcare professionals and patients that compiles scientific reviews. The organization summarizes available evidence from research in medicine and nursing. The reviews provide a basis for clinical guidelines for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
High quality of studies
Cochrane previously reviewed e-cigarettes in a 2014 report. The new updated report includes 35 additional studies from the US, United Kingdom, Italy, Greece, Australia and New Zealand. Out of a total of 50 studies, a significant proportion were so-called randomized studies. Participants in these studies were randomly assigned to a group receiving the treatment to be studied or to a control group.
"Randomized studies form the basis of all our reports. A further requirement is that the studies follow up the results six months later" says Jamie Hartmann-Boyce who was responsible for the alignment.
E-cigarettes help more smokers
The results showed that on average 10 out of 100 smokers were smoke-free after six months using e-cigarettes. The corresponding figure for nicotine replacement therapy was 6 out of 100. The other studies in the report, mostly based on statistical evidence, confirm the findings, according to the researchers. For a country with one million smokers, this means that e-cigarettes could help tens of thousands more people to quit than the nicotine replacement products commonly recommended today.
"Over the past four years, the number of quality studies on e-cigarettes has increased significantly. At the same time, e-cigarettes have continuously evolved. Modern e-cigarettes deliver nicotine better than before, and it is important that we follow developments in this area" says Jamie Hartmann-Boyce
Few side effects known
The researchers also looked at the side effects and health impacts reported by participants in the different studies. Here, the researchers note that there is still a lack of in-depth studies on the health effects of e-cigarettes, at least beyond two years of use. Transient oral irritation, headache, cough and dizziness were the most common side effects.
"While e-cigarettes are not risk-free, there is a scientific consensus that they are significantly less harmful than cigarettes. We hope this report will help educate health professionals and regulators on how to manage smokers in relation to e-cigarettes." says Jamie Hartmann-Boyce.
