Handling relapse in smoking cessation: strategies and recommendations

Aerosol Emissions from Heated Tobacco Products: A Review Focusing on Carbonyls, Analytical Methods, and Experimental Quality

We provide an extensive review of 17 independent and industry-funded studies targeting carbonyls in aerosol emissions of Heated Tobacco Products (HTPs), focusing on quality criteria based on the reproducibility of experiments, appropriate analytic methods, and puffing regimes. Most revised studies complied with these requirements, but some were unreproducible, while others failed to consider analytical variables that may have affected the results and/or produced unrealistic comparisons. We also provide a review of the literature on the physicochemical properties of heated tobacco and HTP aerosols, as well as the evaluation of HTPs by regulatory agencies, addressing various critiques of their relative safety profile. The outcomes from the revised studies and regulatory evaluations tend to agree with and converge to a general consensus that HTP aerosols expose users to significantly lower levels of toxicity than tobacco smoke.

Correlates of nicotine dependence among patients visiting a tobacco cessation centre in India: A retrospective analysis

Background We did a retrospective secondary analysis of 1-year data of a tobacco cessation clinic (TCC) to assess correlates of nicotine dependence among tobacco users visiting the TCC at a tertiary care dental hospital. Methods Secondary data were obtained from the records of patients who had visited the TCC from January to December 2019. Of the 1436 records, 1144 were found to contain all the information needed for the study. Patient records were obtained from a pre-validated standard TCC patient assessment sheet (PAS), which included various sections: Sociodemo-graphic items, tobacco use profile items, nicotine dependence status, strategy used for cessation and follow-up details. Results Of the 1144 proformas, 97.1% (n=1111) were of men and 2.9% (n=33) were of women. Around 48.5% had medium nicotine dependence followed by high nicotine dependence (29.7%) and low nicotine dependence (21.8%). The mean (SD) age of initiation of tobacco use was 26.1 (9.44) years and a significantly lower age of initiation was observed in patients with high nicotine dependence. Greater number of years of tobacco use was significantly associated with high nicotine dependence. About 47% of patients had attempted to quit tobacco in the past and the quitting attempts were found to be significantly higher in patients with high dependence. Conclusion We explored crucial determinants of nicotine dependence among tobacco users reporting to the TCC. These factors may be incorporated in routine assessment of the tobacco use status and may be used in tailored cessation counselling strategies.

Ask and Ask Again: Repeated Screening for Smoking Increases Likelihood of Prescription for Cessation Treatment Among Women Veterans

BACKGROUND

Preventive screening at the point of care can increase desired clinical outcomes. However, the impact of repeated screening for tobacco use on receiving smoking cessation treatment among women Veteran population has not been documented.

OBJECTIVE

To examine screening for tobacco use using clinical reminders and the association between the number of screenings and prescription for cessation treatment.

DESIGN

A retrospective analysis using data from a 5-year implementation trial for cardiovascular risk identification conducted between December 2016 and March 2020.

SUBJECTS

Women patients who had at least one primary care visit with a women's health provider during the study period at five primary care clinics in the Veterans Affairs (VA) Healthcare System.

MEASURES

The outcome is prescription of pharmacotherapy or referral to behavioral counseling for smoking cessation on or after the screening date. The exposure is the number of screenings for tobacco use from the trial and the annual VA national clinical reminders during the study period.

RESULTS

Of 6009 eligible patients, 5788 (96.3%) were screened at least once for tobacco use over five calendar years, and 2784 of those screened (48.1%) were reported as current and former smokers. Among current and former smokers, 709 (25.5%) received a prescription and/or referral for smoking cessation. In the adjusted model, the average predicted probability of prescription and/or referral for smoking cessation was 13.7% among current and former smokers screened once over 5 years, 18.6% among screened twice, 26.5% among screened thrice, 32.9% among screened four times, and 41.7% among screened five or six times.

CONCLUSIONS

Repeated screening was associated with higher predicted probabilities of being prescribed smoking cessation treatment.

Use of a microsimulation method for assessing dynamics of smoking status and gains in life expectancy after quitting in a longitudinal cohort of US older adults

OBJECTIVES

Previous studies were unable to estimate the dynamics of smoking status in the US elderly general population, and no study has assessed the benefit of quitting in terms of resultant gains in life expectancy. We proposed a novel method to estimate the per cent of quitting in remaining lifetime, successful quitting and relapse, as well as life expectancy by participants' baseline smoking status.

DESIGN

Longitudinal cohort.

SETTING

US community-dwelling population.

PARTICIPANTS

Respondents from the Medicare Health Outcome Survey Cohort 15 (baseline 2012, follow-up 2014). We included respondents who were aged ≥65 years and alive at the baseline and participated in the baseline survey (n=164 597).Primary and secondary outcome measuresAttempt quitting, successful quitting, relapse rates and life expectancy by smoking status at age 65-95 years.

RESULTS

Among daily smokers aged 65 years, 61% would attempt to quit during their remaining lifetime, and 31% would quit successfully. Among some days smokers aged 65 years, 69% would attempt to quit during their remaining lifetime, and 37% would quit successfully. Among recent ex-smokers aged 65 years, 53% would relapse. Life expectancy at age 65 years was 20.0 (SE=0.27), 17.2 (SE=0.30), 16.2 (SE=0.29) and 15.9 (SE=0.29) years for long time non-smokers, recent ex-smokers, some days smokers and daily smokers, respectively. Although recent ex-smokers had a higher 2-year mortality than current smokers, those who quit up to 77 years (77 years for men and 87 years for women) had a significantly longer (p<0.05) life expectancy. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that the model assumptions had a relatively small impact on estimates with a maximum relative bias within ±7%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides detailed information regarding the dynamics of smoking status in an understudied and growing population and demonstrates the benefit of smoking cessation on life expectancy. Future research should focus on understanding specific predictors of smoking cessation.

Health impact of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: current and emerging evidence

INTRODUCTION

Quitting is the only proven method to attenuate the progression of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, most COPD smokers do not seem to respond to smoking cessation interventions and may benefit by lessening the negative health effects of long-term cigarette smoke exposure by switching to non-combustible nicotine delivery alternatives, such as heated tobacco products (HTPs) and e-cigarettes (ECs).

AREAS COVERED

Compared with conventional cigarettes, HTPs and ECs offer substantial reduction in exposure to toxic chemicals and have the potential to reduce harm from cigarette smoke when used as tobacco cigarette substitutes. In this review, we examine the available clinical studies and population surveys on the respiratory health effects of ECs and HTPs in COPD patients.

EXPERT OPINION

The current research on the impact of ECs and HTPs on COPD patients' health is limited, and more high-quality studies are needed to draw definitive conclusions. However, this review provides a comprehensive overview of the available literature for health professionals looking to advise COPD patients on the use of these products. While ECs and HTPs may offer some benefits in reducing harm from cigarette smoke, their long-term effects on COPD patients' health are still unclear.

Understanding the role of e-cigarette use in smoking cessation based on the stages of change model

Objective

We explored the role of e-cigarette use in smoking cessation based on the stages of change (SOC) model, which is a framework for describing the process of smoking cessation.

Methods

We used nationwide, cross-sectional data on adults (19+ years) from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2016–2018) and restricted the participants to 3,929 recent smokers, consisting of current smokers and recent quitters (≤2 years). A multinomial logistic regression analysis was performed to reveal the relationships between e-cigarette use and cigarette quitting behaviors (e.g., current quitting status, past quit attempts, intention to quit, and duration of quitting) and all stages in smoking cessation, with adjustment for sociodemographic and smoking-related factors.

Results

E-cigarette use was positively related to past quit attempts, while not having quit, intention to quit, and longer duration of quitting. Based on the cessation stages, current and former e-cigarette users were significantly more likely to be in the ‘Precontemplation’ and ‘Contemplation’ stages than never users, while not to be in the ‘Preparation’ and ‘Action’ stages. Current users were particularly less likely to be in the ‘Maintenance’ stage compared to never users.

Conclusion

E-cigarette use was closely linked with early-stage behavior than late-stage behavior in the smoking cessation process. E-cigarettes might promote quit attempts and short-term quitting in some smokers, but the negative role of inducing smokers to continue cigarette smoking with no immediate quit-intention for future attempts is dominant in the real world.

Behavioral therapy and pharmacotherapy for relapse prevention in abstinent smokers: a rapid review and meta-analysis for the Korea Preventive Service Task Force

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of relapse prevention interventions involving behavioral and pharmacological treatment among abstinent smokers.

Methods

This rapid review was conducted using MEDLINE, Cochrane CENTRAL, CINAHL, Embase, KMbase, and KoreaMed to identify studies published until June 20, 2020. The participants were abstinent smokers who quit smoking on their own, due to pregnancy, hospitalization, or by participating in a smoking cessation program. We found a systematic review that fit the objective of this study and included 81 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). Studies that did not present information on smoking cessation status, had no control group, or used reward-based interventions were excluded. Random effect and fixed effect meta-analyses were used to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). In subgroup analyses, differences between subgroups were verified based on the participant setting, characteristics, intervention type, and intensity.

Results

Following screening, 44 RCTs were included in the meta-analysis. The review reported no differences in the success rate of relapse prevention between the behavioral interventions. Pharmacotherapy interventions showed higher success rates (RR, 1.15; 95% CI, 1.05−1.26; I²=40.71%), depending on prior abstinence duration and the drug type.

Conclusion

The results indicated that pharmacotherapy has a significant effect on preventing relapse among abstinent smokers.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms and Irritable Bowel Syndrome Are Associated With Female Sex and Smoking in the General Population and With Unemployment in Men

Background: The influence of daily life exposure on the gastrointestinal tract is not fully understood. This study aimed to examine associations between functional gastrointestinal symptoms and sociodemographic status and lifestyle habits in the general population. Methods: The Malmö Offspring Study (MOS) included 2,648 participants from the general population who had answered a questionnaire about sociodemographic status, lifestyle habits, medical health, and self-reported irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The visual analog scale for IBS (VAS-IBS) was completed to assess gastrointestinal symptoms the past 2 weeks. Subjects with organic gastrointestinal diseases were excluded. Presence of self-reported IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms the past 2 weeks were used as dependent variables to study the associations with age, sex, body mass index, education, occupation, marital status, smoking, snuff using, alcohol drinking frequency, alcohol amount per drinking occasion, physical activity at work, and physical activity during leisure time, using logistic regression and generalized linear model. Results: Self-reported IBS was associated with gastrointestinal symptoms the past 2 weeks (p < 0.001). There was an association between IBS and female sex (p < 0.001), former smoking (p < 0.001), present smoking (p < 0.001), and an inverse association with drinking 3-4 standard glasses per occasion (p = 0.038). Gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with age 50-59 years (p = 0.009), ≥60 years (p = 0.004), female sex (p < 0.001), studying (p = 0.036), unemployment (p = 0.009), former smoking (p = 0.001), and present smoking (p = 0.012). In men, IBS was associated with middle-age and both IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with unemployment (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). In women, IBS was associated with present smoking (p = 0.022), and gastrointestinal symptoms were associated with former smoking and inversely associated with higher age (p = 0.006) and intermediate physical activity at work (p = 0.008). No associations were found with BMI, education, marital status, or snuff using. Conclusion: Self-reported IBS in the general population shows strongest association with female sex and smoking, whereas gastrointestinal symptoms also are associated with unemployment and inversely associated with higher age. In men, both IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with unemployment. In women, both IBS and gastrointestinal symptoms are associated with smoking, whereas symptoms are inversely associated with higher age and intermediate physical activity.

Smoking Cessation Experience in Indonesia: Does the Non-smoking Wife Play a Role?

Objective

More than 63% of Indonesian men are smokers, and smoking has long been a part of Indonesian culture and the concept of masculinity in Indonesian culture. Given the pro-smoking environment, we were interested in examining why smokers would willingly quit and whether their wives played a role in their quitting process as social factors are mentioned second most frequent as a reason for quitting smoking.

Design

In-depth interviews.

Method

We interviewed 11 couples (N = 22)—ex-smoking husbands and non-smoking wives—in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The data were analysed by using the thematic analysis approach.

Results

Four themes were discussed: (1) reasons for stopping smoking, (2) the process of quitting smoking, (3) the wives’ attitudes toward smoking, and (4) the families’ attempts to make the (ex-)smokers quit. The most commonly cited reasons for quitting were family and personal motivation. The (ex-)smokers preferred to quit without assistance and in private. The wives’ attitude toward smoking ranged from dislike to tolerance, and most did not know when their husbands were trying to quit. Both husbands and wives reported that the wives did not influence the smoking cessation process.

Conclusion

Indonesian ex-smokers often had multiple reasons for quitting smoking. The process was typically difficult and kept private. While wives had little influence on the cessation process, they provided support and could institute a smoking ban in the house.

Critical appraisal of the European Union Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) Preliminary Opinion on electronic cigarettes

BACKGROUND

In preparation for the 2021 revision of the European Union Tobacco Products Directive, the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks (SCHEER) has posted its Preliminary Opinion on Electronic Cigarettes. They concluded that e-cigarettes only achieve a sub-optimal level of protection of human health. In this paper, we provide evidence that the Opinion's conclusions are not adequately backed up by scientific evidence and did not discuss the potential health benefits of using alternative combustion-free nicotine-containing products as substitute for tobacco cigarettes.

METHODS

Searches for articles were conducted in PubMed and by citation chasing in Google Scholar. Articles were also retrieved with a review of references in major publications. Primary data from World Health Organization surveys, the conclusions of reviews, and peer-reviewed non-industry studies were cited to address errors and omissions identified in the Opinion.

RESULTS

The Opinion omitted reporting on the individual and population health benefits of the substitution of e-cigarettes (ENDS) for cigarette smoking. Alternative hypotheses to the gateway theory were not evaluated. Its assessment of cardiovascular risk is contradicted by numerous reviews. It cites ever-use data that do not represent current patterns of use. It did not report non-nicotine use. It presented erroneous statements on trends in ENDS prevalence. It over-emphasized the role of flavours in youth ENDS initiation. It did not discuss cessation in sufficient length.

CONCLUSIONS

For the delivery of a robust and comprehensive final report, the members of the Working Group of the Scientific Committee on Health, Environmental and Emerging Risks will need to consider (1) the potential health benefits of ENDS substitution for cigarette smoking, (2) alternative hypotheses and contradictory studies on the gateway effect, (3) its assessment of cardiovascular risk, (4) the measurements of frequency of use, (5) non-nicotine use, (6) the role of flavours, and (7) a fulsome discussion of cessation.

Well-being and harm reduction, the consolidated reality of electronic cigarettes ten years later from this emerging phenomenon: A narrative review

Tobacco use is the greatest threat to public health worldwide, killing more than seven million people annually. This paper, about 10 years after the first review on electronic cigarettes, analyses the evolution that this tool has had in these years. It concludes with comments on the significance of the research and why it constitutes an original contribution. We searched PubMed (National Library of Medicine), and PsycINFO (Ovid) (2006-2020) for studies on e-cigarettes (harms and benefits, e-cigarette use, craving and smoking cessation) and smoking cessation treatment (smoking cessation treatment or varenicline or tobacco cessation or reduction or bupropion or NRT or behavioral treatment or ecigarette) and evidence suggests that they may effective as smoking cessation tool and may be less harmful alternatives to combustible cigarette smoking. Consequently, e-cigarettes could be considered as an applicable instrument for Tobacco Harm Reduction (THR) and smoking cessation.

Tobacco harm reduction in the 21st century

Purpose

This paper aims to overview the need for tobacco harm reduction, the consumer products that facilitate tobacco harm reduction and the barriers to its implementation. The worldwide endemic of tobacco smoking results in the death of over seven million smokers a year. Cigarette quit rates are very low, from 3%–12%, and relapse rates are high, from 75%–80% in the first six months and 30%–40% even after one year of abstinence. In addition, some smokers do not desire to quit. Cigarette substitution in tobacco harm reduction is one strategy that may reduce the burden of morbidity and mortality.

Design/methodology/approach

This review examines the displacement of smoking through substitution of non-combustible low-risk products such as snus, heated tobacco products and e-cigarettes.

Findings

Toxicological testing, population studies, clinical trials and randomized controlled trials demonstrate the potential reductions in exposures for smokers. Many barriers impede the implementation of product substitution in tobacco harm reduction. These products have been subjected to regulatory bans and heavy taxation and are rejected by smokers and society based on misperceptions about nicotine, sensational media headlines and unsubstantiated fears of youth addiction. These barriers will need to be addressed if tobacco harm reduction is to make the maximum impact on the tobacco endemic.

Originality/value

This review provides the rationale for tobacco harm reduction, evaluates the current products available and identifies the barriers to implementation.

Tobacco smoking, related harm and motivation to quit smoking in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders

This narrative review focuses on the topic of tobacco smoking amongst people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders. We searched PubMed, PsycInfo and Scopus databases for schizophrenia spectrum disorders and smoking and included articles about the epidemiology of tobacco smoking in people with schizophrenia spectrum disorders, examining the relationship between smoking and mental health. This narrative review describes that a higher prevalence, frequency and impact of both high nicotine dependence and its harmful effects in patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders compared with those in the general population. Despite several existent theories, the reasons for high smoking rates, the high dependence on nicotine and severity of nicotine withdrawal symptoms are not fully understood. The main aim of this paper is to inform mental health personnel and particularly clinical and health psychologists about the impact and role of tobacco smoking for smokers with schizophrenia spectrum disorders.

Multimodal Smoking Cessation in a Real-Life Setting: Combining Motivational Interviewing With Official Therapy and Reduced Risk Products

Background:

Tobacco use is a global pandemic, affecting an estimated 1.2 billion people and resulting in substantial health burdens and associated costs.

Objectives:

The aim of this study was to estimate the efficacy of several treatments for smoking cessation in a real-life setting and to evaluate predictors of smoking abstinence.

Methods:

This research was designed with a sample of 593 cases recorded over the period between 2015 and 2016. Six treatment groups were included: (1) bupropion and motivational interviewing (MI); (2) bupropion, nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and MI; (3) NRT and MI; (4) varenicline and MI; (5) personal vaporizer electronic cigarette and MI; and (6) electronic cigarette, cigarette like “cigalike,” and MI.

Results:

Results support the efficacy of all treatment groups when used in a real-life setting. The predictors of smoking abstinence were sex, partner smoking status, previous quit attempts, daily consumption, self-efficacy, and level of nicotine dependence.

Conclusions:

The use of different therapeutic strategies in clinical practice, including pharmacotherapy and nonstandard electronic nicotine delivery systems, such as an electronic cigarette, ensures a greater chance of cessation success and the possibility of tailoring interventions according to patients’ resources.

Abstinence-Related Motivational Engagement Scale: Validity and Reliability in Turkish People

OBJECTIVES

This research aimed to conduct a validity and reliability study of the Turkish version of the abstinence-related motivational engagement (ARME) scale.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study included 122 people and was administered in a smoking cessation clinic. The sociodemographic-smoking status characteristics questionnaire and the ARME scale were used for data collection. A psycholinguistic language adaptation was performed. In the validity, analyses, content, construct, and criterion-related validities were used. For content validity, expert evaluation was performed. For construct validity, principal component analyses (exploratory factor analyses) were performed. Orthogonal (Varimax) rotation was used to explore multiple factors. The Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin test was used to assess the adequacy of the sample size. For criterion-related validity, we compared the ARME scale points of people who were abstinent and had relapse for smoking at the end of the sixth month. In the reliability analysis, standard deviation (SD) and item analysis, internal consistency, and test-retest methods were used.

RESULTS

The four factors explain 58% of the total variance. Items have factor loading between 0.409 and 0.805. When the factor structure of the scale was assessed, the items in each factor group have a factor load of at least "0.40." Due to one-dimensional use of the original scale, it has been decided to maintain this scale in its original form. The ARME scale points of people who quit smoking were statistically higher than the points of people who had relapse at the end of the sixth month. Cronbach's alpha coefficients were between 0.846 and 0.763. Significant and positive correlation was found between the test-retest scale scores.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish adaptation of the ARME scale, which was developed for adults who quitted smoking, is an adequately valid and reliable measurement instrument. It is considered that the scale might be used reliably in different cultures as well.

Experiences of young smokers in quitting smoking in twin cities of Pakistan: a phenomenological study

BACKGROUND

Smoking is highly prevalent in Pakistan claiming the lives of over 100,000 individuals every year. A significant proportion of smokers (24.7%) make an attempt to quit each year but 97.4% fail to quit successfully. Little is known about the reasons for, and experiences of, failed quit attempts. This study was carried out to explore the experiences of young male smokers in quitting smoking in the twin cities of Pakistan METHOD: A qualitative study was carried out using a phenomenological approach in Rawalpindi and Islamabad. A total of 11 participants were interviewed. All study participants were male and had made at least one quit attempt. Study participants were a mix of smokers who failed to quit smoking, intermittent smokers and successful quitters. Streubert's (1991) method of phenomenology was followed during data analysis.

RESULTS

The experiences of smokers while smoking "the smoking phase" have major effects on their journey towards quitting smoking. The smoking phase consists of three major stages: contact with initial smoking stimuli, the journey from first puff to enjoying smoking and then finally smoking becoming part of life. However, the journey towards quitting smoking is not as simple as the journey towards becoming a smoker. Instead, smokers get trapped in three overlapping cycles of smoking and quit attempts: smoking & forced quitting, smoking & intentional quitting, and smoking & intermittent smoking before successful quitting. Breaking the cycle is not easy in the presence of trapping factors (addiction, high availability, easy affordability, conducive social setup and low perceived risks of smoking). Three factors play a major role in breaking these cycles which are strong will power, continuous peer support and avoidance of smokers' company.

CONCLUSION

A young smoker, during his experience of quitting smoking gets entrapped in several overlapping cycles of smoking & quit attempts before successful quitting. There are known entrapping factors as well as factors which help in breaking these cycles. Targeted interventions are needed to facilitate smoking cessation among young smokers in Pakistan.

E-cigarettes in patients with COPD: current perspectives

Conventional cigarette smoking is known to result in significant COPD morbidity and mortality. Strategies to reduce and/or stop smoking in this highly vulnerable patient group are key public health priorities to reduce COPD morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, smoking cessation efforts in patients with COPD are poor and there is a compelling need for more efficient approaches to cessation for patients with COPD. Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are devices that use batteries to vaporize nicotine. They may facilitate quit attempts and cessation in many smokers. Although they are not risk free, ECs are much less harmful than tobacco smoking. Hence, the use of ECs in vulnerable groups and in patients with challenges to abstain or multiple relapses to this habit may be promising. To date, little is known about health consequences of EC use among COPD smokers and whether their regular use has any effects on subjective and objective COPD outcomes. In the current review, we discuss the current perspectives and literature on the role of ECs in abstaining from conventional smoking and the effects of ECs on the respiratory tract in patients with COPD.

The management of asthmatic smokers

Asthma is still a major public health problem in most countries; new strategies to better control this disease are necessary. Such strategies must include predisposing factors. One of these factors is smoking and a significant fraction of asthmatics are smokers. However, clinical trials studying new drugs or newer therapeutic regimens for asthma generally exclude smokers. Therefore, there is a lack of specific information about the treatment of asthma in smokers. The asthmatic smoker is a special phenotype with important therapeutic and prognostic clinical implications. Any form of tobacco use, especially cigarette smoking, plays an important role in this disease. Asthmatic smokers are prone to several negative outcomes. Smoking cessation results in an improvement of symptoms and pulmonary functioning. Counselling and first-line medications for smoking cessation (nicotine replacement therapy, bupropion and varenicline) significantly increase quitting rates. The role of electronic cigarettes in this group of patients has only begun to be studied. The treatment of asthmatics that smoke has characteristics that need must be well understood by clinicians, especially the poor response to corticosteroids. This condition is not universal and physicians should always consider its inclusion in the treatment of these patients. The association of inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) plus a long-acting beta2 adrenegic (LABA) by smoking asthmatics results in more pronounced improvement in several asthma outcomes compared with the use of corticosteroid alone. Inhaled corticosteroids in extra-fine particles associated with LABA may be a new perspective of treatment. Also the use of leukotriene antagonists may become another therapeutic alternative. The purpose of this narrative review is to discuss the challenges faced by clinicians to control asthma in smokers and to present methods of coping with smoking treatment and avoiding relapses.

Respiratory infections and pneumonia: potential benefits of switching from smoking to vaping

Abstaining from tobacco smoking is likely to lower the risk of respiratory infections and pneumonia. Unfortunately, quitting smoking is not easy. Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are emerging as an attractive long-term alternative nicotine source to conventional cigarettes and are being adopted by smokers who wish to reduce or quit cigarette consumption. Also, given that the propylene glycol in EC aerosols is a potent bactericidal agent, switching from smoking to regular vaping is likely to produce additional lung health benefits. Here, we critically address some of the concerns arising from regular EC use in relation to lung health, including respiratory infections and pneumonia. In conclusion, smokers who quit by switching to regular ECs use can reduce risk and reverse harm from tobacco smoking. Innovation in the e-vapour category is likely not only to further minimise residual health risks, but also to maximise health benefits.

Effectiveness and tolerability of electronic cigarette in real-life: a 24-month prospective observational study

Electronic cigarettes (e-Cigarette) are battery-operated devices designed to vaporise nicotine that may aid smokers to quit or reduce their cigarette consumption. Research on e-Cigarettes is urgently needed to ensure that the decisions of regulators, healthcare providers and consumers are evidence based. Here we assessed long-term effectiveness and tolerability of e-Cigarette used in a 'naturalistic' setting. This prospective observational study evaluated smoking reduction/abstinence in smokers not intending to quit using an e-Cigarette ('Categoria'; Arbi Group, Italy). After an intervention phase of 6 months, during which e-Cigarette use was provided on a regular basis, cigarettes per day (cig/day) and exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) levels were followed up in an observation phase at 18 and 24 months. Efficacy measures included: (a) ≥50% reduction in the number of cig/day from baseline, defined as self-reported reduction in the number of cig/day (≥50%) compared to baseline; (b) ≥80% reduction in the number of cig/day from baseline, defined as self-reported reduction in the number of cig/day (≥80%) compared to baseline; (c) abstinence from smoking, defined as complete self-reported abstinence from tobacco smoking (together with an eCO concentration of ≤10 ppm). Smoking reduction and abstinence rates were computed, and adverse events reviewed. Of the 40 subjects, 17 were lost to follow-up at 24 months. A >50% reduction in the number of cig/day at 24 months was shown in 11/40 (27.5%) participants with a median of 24 cig/day use at baseline decreasing significantly to 4 cig/day (p = 0.003). Smoking abstinence was reported in 5/40 (12.5%) participants while combined >50% reduction and smoking abstinence was observed in 16/40 (40%) participants at 24 months. Five subjects stopped e-Cigarette use (and stayed quit), three relapsed back to tobacco smoking and four upgraded to more performing products by 24 months. Only some mouth irritation, throat irritation, and dry cough were reported. Withdrawal symptoms were uncommon. Long-term e-Cigarette use can substantially decrease cigarette consumption in smokers not willing to quit and is well tolerated. ( http://ClinicalTrials.govnumberNCT01195597 ).

Achieving appropriate regulations for electronic cigarettes

A growing body of scientific studies show that e-cigarettes may serve as an acceptable substitute for smoking tobacco cigarettes, thereby reducing or eliminating exposure to harmful elements in smoke. The success of e-cigarettes is such that sales of these products are rapidly gaining on traditional cigarettes. The rapidly evolving phenomenon is raising concerns for the health community, pharmaceutical industry, health regulators and state governments. Obviously, these products need to be adequately regulated, primarily to protect users. Depending on the form and intended scope, certain regulatory decisions may have diverse unintended consequences on public health and may face many different challenges. Ideally, before any regulations are enacted, the regulatory body will require sufficient scientific research to verify that a problem does exist, quantify the problem, explore all potential solutions including making no change at all, determine the possible consequences of each, and then select the solution that is best for public health. Here we present an overview on the existing and deeming regulatory decisions for electronic cigarettes. We challenge them, based on the mounting scientific evidence with the ultimate goal of proposing appropriate recommendations while minimizing potential unintended consequences of ill-informed regulation.

Staff representations and tobacco-related practices in a psychiatric hospital with an indoor smoking ban

The present study describes representations about smoking and practices related to patient smoking among staff of a large public psychiatric hospital. A survey was performed using a specially designed questionnaire. The return rate was 72.4% (n = 155). A large proportion of staff recognized the importance of both smoking status and mental health for patient's well-being (46.9%), and believed that smoking cessation was possible for psychiatric patients (58.6%). However, the role of the psychiatric hospital was perceived as providing information (85.3%) and helping to diminish cigarette consumption (51%), rather than proposing smoking cessation (29.5%). Staff daily practice included reminding patients of smoking restrictions (43.9%), managing cigarettes (46.5%), and nicotine replacement therapy (24.3%). A principal component analysis of tobacco-related practices revealed two main factors (59.8% of variance): basic hospital actions (factor 1) and more specialized interventions (factor 2), which were significantly associated with higher worries about personally developing smoke-related illnesses (Spearman r = 0.38, P < 0.0001). Compared with non-smokers, smokers reported higher perceived vulnerability to develop an illness due to tobacco and a higher level of worry about this. The discussion highlights the need to redefine roles and expectancies of mental health staff, and improve training and collaboration with experts, in order to improve efficiency concerning tobacco issues.

EffiCiency and Safety of an eLectronic cigAreTte (ECLAT) as tobacco cigarettes substitute: a prospective 12-month randomized control design study

BACKGROUND

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are becoming increasingly popular with smokers worldwide. Users report buying them to help quit smoking, to reduce cigarette consumption, to relieve tobacco withdrawal symptoms, and to continue having a 'smoking' experience, but with reduced health risks. Research on e-cigarettes is urgently needed in order to ensure that the decisions of regulators, healthcare providers and consumers are based on science. Methods ECLAT is a prospective 12-month randomized, controlled trial that evaluates smoking reduction/abstinence in 300 smokers not intending to quit experimenting two different nicotine strengths of a popular e-cigarette model ('Categoria'; Arbi Group Srl, Italy) compared to its non-nicotine choice. GroupA (n = 100) received 7.2 mg nicotine cartridges for 12 weeks; GroupB (n = 100), a 6-week 7.2 mg nicotine cartridges followed by a further 6-week 5.4 mg nicotine cartridges; GroupC (n = 100) received no-nicotine cartridges for 12 weeks. The study consisted of nine visits during which cig/day use and exhaled carbon monoxide (eCO) levels were measured. Smoking reduction and abstinence rates were calculated. Adverse events and product preferences were also reviewed.

RESULTS

Declines in cig/day use and eCO levels were observed at each study visits in all three study groups (p<0.001 vs baseline), with no consistent differences among study groups. Smoking reduction was documented in 22.3% and 10.3% at week-12 and week-52 respectively. Complete abstinence from tobacco smoking was documented in 10.7% and 8.7% at week-12 and week-52 respectively. A substantial decrease in adverse events from baseline was observed and withdrawal symptoms were infrequently reported during the study. Participants' perception and acceptance of the product under investigation was satisfactory.

CONCLUSION

In smokers not intending to quit, the use of e-cigarettes, with or without nicotine, decreased cigarette consumption and elicited enduring tobacco abstinence without causing significant side effects.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01164072 NCT01164072.