E-Cigarettes beat Nicotine Replacement Therapy in Smoking Cessation

e-cigs-Akbar shafiee

Adults who smoke conventional cigarettes are more likely to quit smoking successfully when they use electronic cigarettes rather than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) as a quit aid, according to a randomized trial in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Nearly 900 U.K. adults who were looking to stop smoking were randomized to use e-cigarettes or NRT beginning on their quit date. The e-cigarette group was given a starter pack but could then use the product of their choice, while NRT participants could choose their preferred product. All participants also received at least four weekly sessions of behavioral support.

The primary outcome — the rate of abstinence at 1 year confirmed by carbon monoxide levels — favored the e-cigarette group (18% vs. 9.9% in the NRT group).

The findings are likely to be valid for dependent smokers who seek help but may not be generalizable to smokers who are less dependent or who try e-cigarettes for reasons other than quitting smoking.

Read full-text here.

Source: NEJM & NEJM Journal Watch

Share on telegram
Telegram
Share on linkedin
LinkedIn
Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter

Leave a Reply