Use of e-Cigarettes for Smoking Cessation —Reply

In Reply We agree with Dr Lanspa and colleagues that the role of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation is unclear. However, despite the surprising dearth of randomized clinical trials in this area, many smokers have spontaneously turned to e-cigarettes as a potential method for quitting conventional cigarettes. Therefore, we believe that multiple studies in different settings are required to examine the efficacy and safety of e-cigarettes for smoking cessation. The adverse effects of smoking conventional cigarettes are well known. Although the long-term effects of vaping e-cigarettes are unknown, most experts agree that, while their safety profile remains poorly understood, e-cigarettes are likely to be safer than conventional cigarettes. In our article, we acknowledge that the safety of e-cigarettes is an ongoing concern and recommend that, if adopted for smoking cessation, e-cigarettes should be used for a short period only.
Source: JAMA - Category: General Medicine Source Type: research