New doubts raised about e-cigs and smoking cessation

New doubts are being raised over claims about the use of electronic cigarettes as a tobacco-cessation alternative for cancer patients.

A new study published in the Sept. 22 issue of the journal Cancer found e-cig use among cancer patients who also smoke tobacco increased dramatically between 2012 and 2013, from 10% to 38%.

Researchers observed more than 1,000 smokers with cancer who were enrolled in a tobacco treatment program and found those who used e-cigarettes were more dependent on nicotine than nonusers at the time of enrollment, and were just as likely to still be smoking by the time they had a follow-up assessment.

“The high rate of e-cigarette use observed is consistent with recent articles highlighting increased e-cigarette use in the general population,” the study concluded. “The current longitudinal findings raise doubts concerning the usefulness of e-cigarettes for facilitating smoking cessation among patients with cancer. Further research is needed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of e-cigarettes as a cessation treatment for patients with cancer.”

The findings appear to be in line with results of a another study published in JAMA in March that found tobacco quit rates among e-cig users and nonusers were similar, with 11% of e-cig users quitting after one year compared with 14% of nonusers.

The popularity of the devices, which produce a vapor by heating a liquid nicotine solution, has exploded in the past few years thanks in part to mostly anecdotal claims of their ability to help tobacco smokers quit the habit.

Many health experts have questioned the claims about their use as a tobacco cessation device, arguing that the long-term health effects of prolonged use of e-cigarettes are not yet known.

Follow Steven Ross Johnson on Twitter: @MHsjohnson