E-Cigs Aren’t Always E-ffective

Electronic cigarettes are increasingly touted as a substitute for cigarettes for those trying hard to kick a nasty habit.

But do they work when it comes to cessation?

Most chest physicians revealed in a recent survey that they believe e-cigarettes are probably less harmful than traditional cigarettes — but doctors remain divided over actually recommending these devices to their patients for smoking cessation.

Four out of five physicians who answered the survey reported their patients were using e-cigarettes to stop smoking.

About one-third said they would recommend them, one-third said they would not, and one-third did not know, the Yale School of Medicine found in a report presented this week in Los Angeles. The occasion was the annual meeting of the American College of Chest Physicians, MedPage Today reported.

Four out of five physicians who answered the survey reported their patients were using e-cigarettes to stop smoking. Yet the physicians themselves didn’t believe e-cigs were as effective as other known treatments such as nicotine patches, nicotine gum or varenicline (Chantix).

“We know that many smokers, more than half, report using e-cigarettes to try to quit smoking,” said Megan Piper, associate director of research at the University of Wisconsin Center for Tobacco Research and Intervention (CTRI), in Madison, Wisconsin.

“However, the concern is that many smokers start smoking and vaping at the same time — we call this dual use. Their plan is typically to try to cut down on their smoking and replace cigarettes with e-cigarettes. If they are unable to make the final shift from combustible to all e-cigarette use, then they really haven’t gotten the benefits of quitting smoking,” Piper told LifeZette.

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Research shows that three out of four smokers continue to smoke while using e-cigarettes. Essentially, “there is no evidence that this approach is helpful. The CDC was so concerned about this issue they had a ‘Tips from Former Smokers’ campaign that discouraged smokers from using e-cigarettes,” Piper added.

Related: E-Cigs Still an E-normous Question Mark

There are many potential health concerns with e-cigarettes, but little data. Data shows that certain flavors that include diacetyl (buttery flavor) are related to significant lung problems. There have also been suggestions of other pulmonary problems, but there are no long-term studies yet because the product has been around since 2008 or so.

Piper said, however, that she believes everyone is in agreement that e-cigarettes are safer than combustibles.

“The most important goal is to quit using combustible cigarettes,” said Piper. “We have medications and counseling/coaching options that can double or triple success rates. We don’t know whether e-cigarettes are helpful or not. If a patient wants to try using e-cigarettes — e-cigarettes need to be a 100 percent replacement. Then, the patient should ideally quit e-cigarette use as soon as possible to avoid any potential negative health effects.”

Another study published this week in the journal Nicotine & Tobacco Research suggests e-cigarettes might also help control appetite and limit weight gain among those trying to quit. Scientists report it’s the nicotine in cigarettes that makes smokers less likely to overeat. They suggest e-cigarettes, which contain nicotine but no tobacco, may help prevent smokers from eating too much when they quit.

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Piper said this is the first study she’s seen on the topic — and suggests nicotine gum and lozenges might be a safer and more effective option for quitting the use of tobacco.