Study on Electronic Cigarettes and Smoking Relapse
Background on Smoking and Youth
Researchers have recently investigated the relationship between electronic cigarette use and the risk of smoking relapse. In the United States, approximately 34 million people smoke, with the majority starting during their teenage years. While only about 6% of teenagers smoke traditional cigarettes, nearly 28% engage in electronic cigarette use. The appeal of flavored products has contributed to a rise in young smokers.
Challenges of Quitting Smoking
Quitting smoking is notoriously difficult, as it often leads to addiction. Despite the challenges, many smokers desire to quit, with around half making an attempt each year. The benefits of quitting smoking, both immediate and long-term, significantly enhance smokers’ health and overall well-being. Various factors can contribute to relapse, including age, time since quitting, marital status, and body mass index (BMI).
Previous Research Findings
Prior studies indicated that recent ex-smokers—those who had quit within the last year—are 50% more likely to relapse compared to long-term ex-smokers. However, these studies did not consider the impact of newer electronic smoking devices such as e-cigars, e-pipes, and e-hookahs. To address this gap, researchers from the National Institute on Drug Abuse conducted a study to determine whether electronic smoking device use increases the risk of relapse among both recent and long-term ex-smokers, with findings published in JAMA Network Open.
Study Methodology
The study utilized data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study, conducted over four waves from December 2013 to March 2018. It focused on three groups of adult ex-smokers who were not using any tobacco products at the study’s outset. Participants were categorized into all ex-smokers, recent ex-smokers who had quit within the past 12 months, and long-term ex-smokers who had quit more than 12 months prior.
The research included statistical analysis to develop hazard models, examining the effects of past smoking behaviors, socioeconomic factors, time since quitting, and any substance abuse issues. Additionally, data were gathered to predict survival curves for the different groups of ex-smokers.
Key Findings
The findings revealed that individuals who used electronic smoking devices faced a significantly higher risk of relapse, regardless of how long they had been ex-smokers. Furthermore, recent ex-smokers exhibited a greater likelihood of relapse compared to their long-term counterparts. The study identified several factors that contributed to relapse among recent ex-smokers, including intense cravings, withdrawal symptoms, ineffective coping strategies, and exposure to smoking-related paraphernalia.
Recommendations for Health Practitioners
Based on the study’s conclusions, researchers recommend that health practitioners discourage ex-smokers from using any nicotine products, including electronic cigarettes. This recommendation stems from the heightened risk of smoking relapse and poor survival outcomes observed among recent ex-smokers.
References
1. Everard C, Silveira M, Kimmel H, Marshall D, Blanco C, Compton W. Association of Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Use With Cigarette Smoking Relapse Among Former Smokers in the United States. JAMA Netw Open. 2020;3(6):e204813. doi:10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2020.48132.
2. Youth and Tobacco Use. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youth_data/tobacco_use/index.htm. Published 2020. Accessed June 9, 2020.
3. Benefits of Quitting. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/quit_smoking/how_to_quit/benefits/index.htm. Published 2020. Accessed June 9, 2020.