First clinical study on e cigarettes just presented at the International Meeting of SRNT in Antalya
Researchers from the University of Catania (ITALY), presented the results of their study on electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) to the Society for Research on Nicotine and Tobacco in Antalya, Turkey last week. Study results. A report on the clinical trial results, which showed that switching to an e-cigarette may assist smokers to reduce or eliminate cigarette smoking in 55% of cases, will be published soon in BMC Public Health.
“Cigarette smoking is a tough addiction to break,” said Professor Riccardo Polosa, the principal investigator of the study. “Therefore, improved approaches to smoking cessation are necessary. E-cigarettes may prove to be a safe alternative to traditional cigarette smoking. They provide a coping mechanism by replacing some of smoking gestures, to help smokers remain abstinent during their quit attempt or to reduce cigarette consumption.”
E-cigarettes are battery-powered devices that deliver vaporized nicotine without the harmful elements present in tobacco cigarette smoke. Tar, carbon monoxide, particulates and thousands of chemicals created by the process of combustion are the elements in smoke that cause up to 99% of the lung disease, heart attacks, strokes, and cancers associated with smoking.
THE STUDY
The study “Effect of an Electronic Nicotine Delivery Device (e-Cigarette) on Smoking Reduction and Cessation: A Prospective 6-Month Pilot Study” monitored modifications in smoking habits of 40 regular smokers unwilling to quit, with a focus on smoking reduction and abstinence. The study used the CATEGORIA® E-Cigarette. Study participants were invited to attend a total of five study visits in a period of 24 weeks. Product use, number of cigarettes smoked, and exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) levels were measured at each visit.
THE RESULTS
Thirteen of 40 (32.5%) of the participants sustained a 50% reduction in the number of cigarettes per day (CPD) at week-24, with their median of 25 CPD decreasing to 6 CPD. A sustained 80% reduction was shown in five (12.5%) participants, with their median of 30 CPD decreasing to 3 CPD. Sustained smoking abstinence at week-24 was observed in nine (22.5%) participants, with six of them still using the e-cigarette by the end of the study. Combined sustained 50% reduction and smoking abstinence was shown in 22 (55%) participants, with an overall 88% fall in CPD.
Mouth (20.6%) and throat (32.4%) irritation, and dry cough (32.4%) were common, but diminished substantially by week-24.
Participants’ perception and acceptance of the product was good.
