On the eve of the month without tobacco, return on an analysis by a British scientific journal of several studies on the electronic cigarette to better understand its benefits and its dangers.
- Out of 100 people using electronic cigarettes to quit smoking, 10 succeed
- Throat irritation, headache and cough are mentioned as side effects by users
The electronic cigarette has been debated for several years: scientific studies have too little perspective. Opponents and supporters are torn apart by interpreting, each in their own way, the little data available. Scientists have compiled the findings of different studies on this device and publish their findings in the journal Cochrane. Their objective was to understand if the use of the electronic cigarette helps smokers to quit smoking, and if it had side effects.
Better efficacy at six months
The scientific team analyzed 50 randomized studies, that is to say that the participants did not know which treatment they were going to receive. In total, this represented more than 12,400 adults. The studies compared the effects of e-cigarettes with nicotine to those of nicotine therapies, such as patches or chewing gum, e-cigarettes without nicotine, behavioral therapies and unaided smoking cessation.
The scientific team finds that the electronic cigarette, with nicotine, helped more participants to quit smoking for at least six months, compared to the version without nicotine, behavioral therapies or nicotine replacement therapy. Out of 100 people using electronic cigarettes to quit smoking, ten succeed. Without any substitute or help, they are only four. “E-cigarettes with nicotine likely help people quit smoking for at least six monthsconclude the researchers. They surely work better than nicotine therapies and e-cigarettes without nicotine.“.
Side effects that go away
Concerning the side effects linked to the use of electronic cigarettes, the studies have not made it possible to establish a conclusion. “We are not sure there is a difference“, specify the researchers. Users sometimes report suffering from throat or mouth irritation, headaches or coughing. But the longer the duration of use of the electronic cigarette, the more these side effects decrease. .
The researchers stress that further studies are needed to be “safer from the effects of electronic cigarette“. They are particularly interested in new models, which allow better dosing and better administration of nicotine.
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