Benefits of e-cigarettes in smoking reduction and in pulmonary health among Chronic Smokers Undergoing a Lung Cancer Screening Program at 6 Months

Abstract Introduction Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) might be a valid and safe device to support smoking cessation. However, the available evidence is divergent. The aim of the present work was to assess the effects of an e-cigarette program on pulmonary health (cough, breath shortness, catarrh) and to evaluate the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in reducing tobacco consumption. Methods The study is a double-blind randomized controlled trial. Two hundred and ten smokers were randomized into three groups: nicotine e-cigarette (8mg/mL nicotine concentration), nicotine-free e-cigarettes (placebo), and control with 1:1:1 ratio. All participants received a 3 months cessation program that included a cognitive-behavioral intervention aimed at supporting people in changing their behavior and improving motivation to quit. Results Pulmonary health, assessed with self-reported measures, clinical evaluations and the Leicester Cough Questionnaire, improved in participants who stopped smoking compared to their own baseline. No differences in pulmonary health were found between groups. Statistical tests showed a significant effect of Group (F (2, 118) = 4.005, p Conclusions 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