The Australian National University (ANU) has found evidence that non-smokers who use e-cigarettes are around three times as likely to take up conventional smoking than their peers who don’t use e-cigarettes.
In a statement, the University said its report, Summary report on use of e-cigarettes and relation to tobacco smoking uptake and cessation, relevant to the Australian context , showed that the use of e-cigarettes tripled the chance of a non-smoker taking up cigarettes and that there was insufficient evidence to support the claim that the devices helped cigarette smokers quit smoking.
Lead researcher at ANU, Emily Banks said the University’s research reviewed the worldwide evidence on e-cigarettes and smoking behaviour, relevant to the Australian context.
“E-cigarettes could undermine a wonderful smoke-free start in life,” Professor Banks said.
“There are around 2.3 million smokers in Australia, and it is our number one cause of premature death and disability,” she said.
“Avoiding e-cigarettes in non-smokers is vital to keeping progress going against smoking.”
Professor Banks said there was limited evidence that e-cigarettes helped people give up smoking and ex-smokers using e-cigarettes were more than twice as likely to relapse.
“Most people who give up smoking successfully don’t use any products like patches or medication to do it – they do it by themselves, for example by going cold turkey,” she said.
“Our review found that there wasn’t sufficient evidence to conclude that e-cigarettes are effective for quitting smoking compared to other approaches, but there are promising signs that they have potential to help.”
She said there was also evidence to suggest that e-cigarettes lead to prolonged use of nicotine.
The ANU’s seven-page report can be accessed at this PS News link.
