Lack of Substantial Post-Cessation Weight Increase in Electronic Cigarettes Users

Cristina Russo, Fabio Cibella, Enrico Mondati, Pasquale Caponnetto, Evelise Frazzetto, Massimo Caruso, Grazia Caci and Riccardo Polosa
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Cristina Russo: MCAU ARNAS Garibaldi, 95123 Catania, Italy
Fabio Cibella: National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, 90100 Palermo, Italy
Enrico Mondati: Institute of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Policlinico-V. Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Pasquale Caponnetto: Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Evelise Frazzetto: Institute of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Policlinico-V. Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Massimo Caruso: Institute of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Policlinico-V. Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Grazia Caci: Institute of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Policlinico-V. Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Riccardo Polosa: Institute of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Policlinico-V. Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy

IJERPH, 2018, vol. 15, issue 4, 1-13

Abstract: Minimization of post-cessation weight gain in quitters is important, but existing approaches (e.g., antismoking medications) shows only limited success. We investigated changes in body weight in smokers who quit or reduced substantially their cigarette consumption by switching to electronic cigarettes (ECs) use. Body weight and smoking/vaping history were extracted from medical records of smokers and ex-smokers to match three study groups: (1) regular EC users on at least two consecutive follow-up visits; (2) regular smokers (and not using ECs); (3) subjects who reported sustained smoking abstinence after completing a cessation program. Review of their medical records was conducted at two follow-up visits at 6- (F/U 6m) and 12-months (F/U 12m). A total of 86 EC users, 93 regular smokers, and 44 quitters were studied. In the EC users study group, cigarettes/day use decreased from 21.1 at baseline to 1.8 at F/U 12m ( p < 0.0001). Dual usage was reported by approximately 50% of EC users. Both within factor (time, p < 0.0001) and between factor (study groups, p < 0.0001) produced significant effect on weight (% change from baseline), with a significant 4.8% weight gain from baseline in the quitters study group at F/U 12m. For the EC users, weight gain at F/U 12m was only 1.5% of baseline. There was no evidence of post-cessation weight increase in those who reduced substantially cigarette consumption by switching to ECs (i.e., dual users) and only modest post-cessation weight increase was reported in exclusive EC users at F/U 12m. By reducing weight gain and tobacco consumption, EC-based interventions may promote an overall improvement in quality of life.

Keywords: smoking cessation; smoking reduction; electronic cigarette; weight gain; tobacco harm reduction (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
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