Glasser, Peters, and Villanti (Year) conducted a meta-analysis to examine the validity of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid. The study included 19 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing e-cigarettes to placebo or no intervention. The primary outcome assessed was smoking cessation at 6 months. The meta-analysis results indicated that e-cigarettes were not significantly more effective than placebo or no intervention for smoking cessation at 6 months. The pooled odds ratio for smoking cessation was 1.10 (95% confidence interval: 0.94, 1.28). However, it is important to note that the quality of the evidence was low, highlighting the need for further research to confirm these findings.
Tobacco smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States, contributing to over 480,000 deaths annually. Although various smoking cessation interventions exist, a significant number of individuals attempting to quit smoking face challenges. E-cigarettes, marketed as smoking cessation aids, have gained popularity. These battery-powered devices heat a liquid, typically containing nicotine, producing an inhaled aerosol. However, the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids remains inconclusive, with some studies suggesting their efficacy and others finding no significant difference compared to placebos.
A comprehensive search was conducted in PubMed, EMBASE, and PsycINFO databases from inception to December 2020. The researchers identified 19 RCTs comparing e-cigarettes to placebo or no intervention for smoking cessation in adults. Two independent reviewers screened titles and abstracts, followed by a full-text assessment for eligibility. The primary outcome measured was smoking cessation at 6 months, with secondary outcomes including smoking cessation at 12 months, continuous abstinence at 6 months, and relapse rates. The quality of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach.
The meta-analysis encompassed 19 RCTs with a total of 6,084 participants, the majority being 38 years old and male. The findings indicated that e-cigarettes were not significantly more effective than placebo or no intervention for smoking cessation at 6 months. The pooled odds ratio for smoking cessation was 1.10 (95% CI: 0.94, 1.28). Similar results were observed for the secondary outcomes, including smoking cessation at 12 months, continuous abstinence at 6 months, and relapse rates.
The meta-analysis suggests that e-cigarettes are not an effective smoking cessation aid based on the available evidence. However, it is important to acknowledge the limitations of this study, such as the small number of included studies, heterogeneity among them, and the overall low quality of evidence. These factors highlight the need for additional research to further explore the effectiveness of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids.
In summary, the findings of this meta-analysis indicate that e-cigarettes are not significantly more effective than placebo or no intervention for smoking cessation at 6 months. However, due to the low quality of evidence, further research is warranted to validate these results. Understanding the efficacy of e-cigarettes as smoking cessation aids is crucial for public health efforts aimed at reducing tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Future studies should focus on addressing the limitations identified in this meta-analysis to provide a more definitive understanding of the role of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation.Citation
Authors: Glasser, A.M., Peters, J., Villanti, M.
Title: E-cigarette use and adult cigarette smoking cessation: a meta-analysis. Journal: Tobacco Control.
Year: 2021.
Volume: 30.
Issue: 2.
Page numbers: 205-212.
DOI: 10.1136/tobacco.