A recent review conducted by the Center of Excellence for the Acceleration of Harm Reduction (CoEHAR) at the University of Catania has found that e-cigarettes are more effective than other treatments for smoking cessation. The study, published in Drug and Alcohol Dependence, represents one of the most comprehensive analyses to date, evaluating 16 systematic reviews and encompassing data from 24 randomized controlled trials (RCTs).
Lead author Renée O'Leary stated, "The data from our umbrella review can support the integration of harm reduction strategies into public health policies in many countries. However, the review highlights a critical gap in existing cessation strategies, with long-term success rates for e-cigarettes remaining modest at 10 percent-12 percent and the effect of relapse has not been sufficiently studied. New treatments and approaches are urgently needed."
E-Cigarettes Outperform Other Cessation Treatments
The authors found that e-cigarettes outperformed other cessation treatments in eight out of 11 meta-analyses. No evidence suggested that e-cigarettes are less effective than any alternative treatments. While mixed results emerged when comparing ENDS to traditional nicotine replacement therapy, the overall trend favored ENDS for cessation efficacy.
Despite these promising findings, the study also emphasizes the need for greater scientific rigor in the field. The analysis exposed significant reporting biases in many studies, underlining the importance of transparent and balanced research to build trust in these devices and positively guide public health policies.
Robust Evidence Supports Potential of ENDS as Effective Cessation Aid
Riccardo Polosa, co-author and founder of CoEHAR, commented, "This study provides robust evidence supporting the potential of ENDS as an effective cessation aid, but it also calls for enhanced clinical guidelines and further exploration of long-term outcomes."
As the debate surrounding e-cigarettes continues to polarize the public health community, CoEHAR believes this review reinforces their role as a promising component of structured and complex tobacco control strategies. The findings underscore the need for innovative approaches and long-term data to fully understand the impact of e-cigarettes on smoking cessation and overall public health.
