The study that has the title of “Benefits of e-cigarettes in smoking reduction and in pulmonary health among chronic smokers undergoing a lung cancer screening program at 6 months,” was conducted to determine if e-cigarettes might be considered safe and valid to support smoking cessation, and assess their effects on pulmonary function by noting differences in conditions such as cough and shortness of breath which are common in smokers.
The research was made on 210 smokers aged 55 and above, who had smoked an average of 10 cigarettes for a minimum of 10 years and they were divided into three groups: one group was given nicotine e-cigarettes, another group was given nicotine-free and the control group was given no e-cigarettes. All participants received a smoking cessation program for three months that included a cognitive-behavioral program to support them in changing their behavior and encourage them to quit smoking.
Vapers Had a Lower Rate of Exhaled CO2
The data that was gathered through self-reported measures, clinical evaluations, and the Leicester Cough Questionnaire showed that there was an important difference among participants who were smoking for 6 months, participants who are in the nicotine e-cigarette group smoking average 11 cigarettes per day and 14 in the nicotine-free e-cigarette group and 13.5 in the control group.
Another difference among the groups is that participants in the nicotine e-cigarette group had an exhaled CO of 12.0, vs 15.3 in the nicotine-free e-cigarette group and 16.5 in the control group.
E-cigs Once Again Found Effective for Smoking Cessation
According to the research, all participants who were smoking at 6 months had low-to-moderate dependence; participants in the nicotine e-cigarette group had a mean core of 3.12 when they were compared to 4.32 in the nicotine-free e-cigarette group and 3.59 in the control group. This showed the significant difference in nicotine dependence among the groups.
The researchers found that after 6 months about 20% of the entire sample stopped smoking. Participants who used e-cigarettes with nicotine smoked fewer tobacco cigarettes than any other group after 6 months (p < .020). Their data add to the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes in helping smokers reduce tobacco consumption and improving pulmonary health status.
All of this information points out to one specific thing. E-cigarettes are something that people tend to use when they quit smoking. Some groups believe that banning vaping will be increasing the number of smokers which is worse than anything else. In addition to this, it can be added that most e-cigarette users never go back to smoking. This research also shows that most smokers use e-cigarettes to quit smoking.
