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

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Addiction Medicine
• Behavioral Science

Background:

• Minimizing post-cessation weight gain is crucial for smokers attempting to quit, but current methods show limited efficacy.
• Electronic cigarettes (ECs) present a potential alternative for smoking cessation and weight management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of switching to ECs on body weight changes in smokers compared to traditional cessation methods.
• To evaluate weight changes in regular EC users, exclusive smokers, and individuals who successfully quit smoking.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective study analyzed medical records of 86 EC users, 93 smokers, and 44 quitters at 6- and 12-month follow-ups.
• Body weight changes and smoking/vaping history were compared across the three groups.
• Cigarette consumption was tracked in EC users, with dual usage (smoking and vaping) also noted.

Main Results:

• EC users significantly reduced daily cigarette use from 21.1 to 1.8 (p < 0.0001).
• Quitters experienced a 4.8% weight gain at 12 months (p < 0.0001).
• EC users showed a modest 1.5% weight gain, with dual users exhibiting no significant increase and exclusive EC users a minor gain at 12 months.

Conclusions:

• Switching to ECs substantially reduces tobacco consumption and mitigates post-cessation weight gain.
• ECs, particularly for dual users, appear to be an effective strategy for managing weight during smoking reduction.
• EC-based interventions may improve quality of life by reducing both tobacco use and associated weight gain.