Perceptions and use of electronic cigarette in adult smokers followed in a specialized smoking cessation clinic

Background: electronic cigarette (e-cig) has emerged in recent years as an increasingly popular device. However, knowledge about its risks is growing and there are conflicting data as to its interest as a smoking cessation aid. Public opinion on the subject varies greatly. Objectives: to evaluate knowledge, perception of risks and use of e-cig in adult smokers willing to quit. Methods: cross-sectional prospective study in smokers recruited from a hospital-based smoking cessation clinic, using a self-administered questionnaire. The authors included subjects in the process of quitting smoking, in a 9-month period. Results: 188 subjects were included, with male predominance (55,9%) and mean age 50,3 (min 18, max 80). Almost all subjects had heard about e-cig (99,5%) and 35,6% (67) had previous or present use. More than one third considered it to have risks (36,2%), but the majority was not sure (59,6%); compared to conventional cigarette, 37,8% found it as dangerous and 10,6% more dangerous; 49,5% thought it contains nicotine, and 40,4% that it can be addictive, whereas 20,7% believed it only contains water vapor. Most (78,2%) favored prohibition to minors. In the group of e-cig ever users there were significantly more patients thinking it can help cessation (p Conclusions: the proportion of patients who have tried e-cig is important; although the notion that e-cig is not harmless appears to exist, there is a great lack of information concerning its components, its risks and its usefulness to quit smoking.