Previous analyses of the effect of e-cigarettes on real world smoking cessation success have mostly been based on surveys undertaken in the US and UK where nicotine e-cigarettes can be readily obtained.
In Australia, regulations have made obtaining e-cigarettes containing nicotine difficult.
The effectiveness of e-cigarette use as a smoking cessation aid in Australia might therefore be lower than survey-based estimates published to date. This study aimed to estimate the effect of using e-cigarettes for a smoking cessation attempt on past-year smoking cessation success in Australia.
Design
Multivariable logistic regression models for past-year smoking cessation success.
Setting and participants
Respondents to the 2019 wave of Australia’s National Drug Strategy Household Survey who made a smoking cessation attempt in the 12 months leading up to the survey.
Measurements
Past-year smoking cessation success was assumed if a smoking cessation attempt resulted in abstinence of more than a month at the time of the survey.
Findings
In 2019, Australians that attempted to quit smoking using e-cigarettes achieved greater success than smokers attempting to quit without e-cigarettes (adjusted odds ratio = 1.68; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.09 – 2.60). If people that only tried e-cigarettes once or twice are considered not to have used e-cigarettes, the estimated effect was slightly stronger (aOR = 1.98; 95% CI: 1.27 – 3.10). Also, the estimated odds ratio was higher among vapers that acquired their e-cigarettes from overseas websites (aOR = 2.24; 95% CI: 1.02 – 4.93).
Conclusions
Use of e-cigarettes for a smoking cessation attempt appears to be associated with greater success among Australians who attempted to quit tobacco in 2019 compared with Australians attempting to quit without e-cigarettes, after adjusting for confounding effects.
Mark S. Chambers – Addiction – 2022-04-11
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