In a tech savvy world, the use of electronic cigarettes as a long-term option for smoking doesn’t seem surprising. Though this is an alternative, professionals from the Penn State College of Medicine have urged health care practitioners to motivate people from quitting the traditional smoking method.
As a part of the study, the scientists examined this wide phenomenon by conducting a survey of 104 long-term e-cigarette users. These electronic forms of smoking are touted to provide nicotine similar to a cigarette but they discard the carbon monoxide and tar that are mostly related to smoking –related diseases.
The results showed that 78% of long-term users seemed to not be opting for tobacco and planned to continue with the e-cigarettes itself. Most of them also appeared to be aware that these devices do not deliver the same amount of nicotine like the normal ones do. Hence, they researched on this front to see which kinds of e-cigs will be entirely engaging and help them give up on the real ones.
“These products initially seemed to be something of a gimmick and likely to be banned by the FDA. However, they are continuing to be popular and at least some smokers appear to find them helpful. However, we just don’t have enough information on their long-term safety and effectiveness for clinicians to recommend them,†remarked Jonathan Foulds, professor of public health sciences and psychiatry, Penn State College of Medicine.
Till these electric forms are safe enough to be advised by doctors, the analysts encourage smokers to undergo counseling, nicotine replacement, bupropion or varenicline. Notably, these e-cigarettes seem to have weak quality control. Some of them, commercially available as high nicotine seemingly provide very less nicotine and there are also other issues regarding the label, quality and guidelines.
Foulds has expressed his concern over kids consuming the flavored liquid found in e-cigarettes. He cautions that though these products may help cease the habit of smoking, they necessitate accurate quality controls and regulations.
The report is published in the International Journal of Clinical Practice.