title: Is there a role for e-cigarettes in smoking cessation?
abstract: The use of e-cigarettes has dramatically increased over the past few years and their role in smoking cessation remains controversial. Several clinical studies have evaluated their efficacy in smoking cessation but most of them are prospective cohort studies. Only two randomized, controlled trials have compared e-cigarettes versus placebo or patches. A meta-analysis of these two randomized, controlled trials has been performed. Nicotine-containing e-cigarettes appear to help smokers unable to stop smoking altogether to reduce their cigarette consumption when compared with placebo. However, these results are rated 'low' by GRADE standards. Many cohort studies have been conducted, with contradictory results. For some, e-cigarettes could increase the risk of nonsmokers developing nicotine dependence and of current smokers maintaining their dependence. The debate remains open and more randomized trials are needed with long-term data about the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, Strasbourg, France.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Leduc
authors.affiliation: Department of Pneumology, University Hospital of Strasbourg, Nouvel Hôpital Civil, 1 Place de l'Hôpital, 67091 Strasbourg Cedex, France elisabeth.quoix@chru-strasbourg.fr.
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Quoix
mesh_terms: D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D066300:Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; D006801:Humans; D009538:Nicotine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D018722:Nicotinic Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000379:methods*; D000074606:Smoking Prevention; D014029:Tobacco Use Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D018722:Nicotinic Agonists; D009538:Nicotine
keywords: e-cigarette; nicotine replacement therapy; smoking cessation