Dual use use of e-cigarettes and cigarettes tends to be discouraged by tobacco harm reduction experts and vaping advocates alike, as the whole point of vaping is cutting down on cigarettes. On the other hand, some argue that those who engage in dual use are still smoking less cigarettes, ie. reducing harm.
The study titled, “Associations Between Dual Use of E-Cigarettes and Smoking Cessation: A Prospective Study of Smokers in England,” looked into this by analyzing the tobacco use behaviour within a cohort of 1,498 smokers in England.
The obtained results indicated that while dual use of e-cigarettes was not associated with reduced overall quit rates when compared to exclusive smoking or dual use of NRT, it was associated with a slightly higher quit attempt rate than exclusive smoking but lower than dual use of NRT.
“Overall quit rates were not lower in dual e-cigarette users than exclusive smokers (OR = 1.31, 0.90-1.89). Dual users of e-cigarettes were more likely than exclusive smokers to make a quit attempt, but this difference was not significant after adjustment for covariates (OR = 1.27, 95%CI 0.95-1.69). Among those attempting to quit, success rates did not differ significantly. Dual users of e-cigarettes were less likely to make a quit attempt than dual users of NRT (OR = 0.61, 95%CI 0.38-0.98) but the success rate of quit attempts and overall quit rates did not differ significantly,” read the study Abstract.
Does dual use reduce smoking?
The second study, “Is Dual Use of Nicotine Products and Cigarettes Associated With Smoking Reduction and Cessation Behaviours? A Prospective Study in England,” analyzed once again the relationship between dual use and quitting activity (smoking reduction, quit attempts and use of evidence-based cessation aids).
A total of 413 current smokers taking part in the Smoking Toolkit Study, a representative survey of adults in England, were recruited, and provided data at baseline and at a 6-month follow-up. The compiled data indicated that dual users of e-cigarettes and cigarettes smoked fewer cigarettes per day at follow-up than at baseline, when compared with dual users of NRTs and cigarettes.
“After adjustment for covariates, dual e-cigarette users smoked two fewer cigarettes per day at follow-up than at baseline compared with dual OTC NRT (over the counter NRTs) users (B=2.01, 95% CI −3.62; −0.39, p=0.015). While dual e-cigarette users had 18% lower odds than dual OTC NRT users to make a quit attempt at follow-up (risk ratio (RR) 0.82, 95% CI 0.67 to 1.00, p=0.049), the groups did not differ in use of cessation aids (RR 1.06, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.21, p=0.388).OTC NRT users (B=2.01, 95% CI -3.62; -0.39, p=0.015),” read the study Abstract.
Study Looking at Smoking Cessation Behavior Amongst Dual Users
