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This is a plain English summary of an original research article. The views expressed are those of the author(s) and reviewer(s) at the time of publication.
Smokers who use NHS stop smoking services appear almost twice as likely to be successful for a year if they use e-cigarettes than if they use nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) products.
In a trial of 866 smokers who used NHS stop smoking services, 18% of those assigned to e-cigarettes were abstinent 12 months from their quit date, compared to 9.9% of those assigned to NRT. Everyone in the study was also offered four weeks of one-to-one behavioural support from a clinician. Of those who had successfully quit with e-cigarettes, 80% were still using them at 12 months.
The extra 9% who successfully quit means that 12 people would need to use e-cigarettes rather than NRT to gain one additional successful quitter. Although the study did not include a cost-benefit analysis, the cost of the e-cigarette kit provided was less than that of providing three months of NRT.
Why was this study needed?
In 2016, 15.5% of adults smoked tobacco. Although smoking is in decline, it remains the leading preventable cause of illness and premature death in the UK. E-cigarettes, used by around 6% of UK adults, are thought to be much less harmful than smoking tobacco. However, there has been controversy over their effectiveness in quit attempts, with different evidence reviews showing conflicting results.
There are few good quality trials, according to a recent evidence review. It identified 14 systematic reviews, seven of which included a meta-analysis. Of these, two found a positive effect; four found an inconclusive effect and one found a negative effect.
This new study is the first sizeable, long-term trial comparing modern refillable e-cigarettes with nicotine replacement therapy within the context of existing NHS stop smoking services, where only about 10% of smokers manage to quit with standard care. The trial offers the best evidence yet available about the effectiveness of e-cigarettes combined with behavioural support for smoking cessation.
What did this study do?
In this randomised controlled trial, adult smokers (not pregnant or breastfeeding) were recruited through NHS stop smoking services in London, Leicester and East Sussex. Researchers included only people with no strong preference as to whether they used e-cigarettes or NRT.
Participants were randomly assigned to NRT or e-cigarettes. Nicotine replacement therapy users were offered three months of their chosen product and were encouraged to choose a combination of quick-acting and steady-release products. E-cigarette users were given a refillable e-cigarette kit and bottle of nicotine liquid, with instructions to purchase additional liquid of their choice.
All participants were offered weekly one-to-one support for four weeks by a health professional and had carbon monoxide measured as a proxy for smoking during this period. They were followed up at 26 and 52 weeks. Of the 886 people randomised, 78.8% completed 12 months follow up. Those who did not complete follow-up were assumed to have started smoking cigarettes. Although the drop-out rate was high, it is comparable to other trials of smoking cessation.
What did it find?
- Eighteen per cent of participants randomised to receive e-cigarettes reported themselves to be abstinent from smoking after 12 months, backed up by negative carbon monoxide breath tests. Of these people, 80% were still using e-cigarettes. In total, 39.5% of e-cigarette users were still using them after 12 months.
- 9.9% of participants randomised to receive NRT products reported themselves to be abstinent from smoking after 12 months, with negative carbon monoxide breath tests. Of these, 9% were still using NRT. In total, 4.3% of NRT users were still using products after 12 months.
- The chances of having stopped smoking were 83% higher for people who used e-cigarettes compared to NRT (relative risk 1.83, 95% confidence interval 1.30 to 2.58).
- There were no serious adverse events related to either NRT use or e-cigarette use, although there were reports of respiratory events in both groups. NRT users were more likely to report nausea (37.9% versus 31.3% of e-cigarette users). E-cigarette users were more likely to report mouth or throat irritation (65.3% versus 51.2% of NRT users).
What does current guidance say on this issue?
The March 2018 evidence review from Public Health England says “Stop smoking practitioners, and health professionals should provide behavioural support to smokers who want to use an e-cigarette to help them quit smoking,” and that they should receive training to provide support in the use of e-cigarettes as a stop smoking aid.
In March 2018 guidance, NICE recommends NRT or varenicline, with a referral to NHS stop smoking services, for smokers who wish to quit. Advice on e-cigarettes is to explain that “many people have found them helpful to quit smoking cigarettes” and “the evidence suggests that e-cigarettes are substantially less harmful to health than smoking but are not risk-free.”
What are the implications?
The finding that e-cigarettes are substantially more effective than NRT products, even when used with expert support, signals a potential shift towards provision of e-cigarettes as part of NHS stop smoking services.
This would require training of stop smoking service staff. Potential for purchase of e-cigarettes by services would need to be considered.
This publication did not include a cost comparison, but reports that the 2016 cost to the trial of an e-cigarette starter pack was £30.25, compared to £120 for a three month supply of a single NRT product. This suggests that e-cigarettes might be a good economic choice, as well as more clinically effective, compared with NRT.
Citation and Funding
Hajek P, Phillips-Waller A, Przulj D et al. A randomized trial of e-cigarettes versus nicotine-replacement therapy. N Engl J Med. 2019;380(7):629-37.
This trial was funded by the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Programme (12/167/135) and by Cancer Research UK.
Bibliography
NICE. Stop smoking interventions and services. NG92. London: National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; 2018.
McNeill A, Brose LS, Calder R et al. Evidence review of e-cigarettes and heated tobacco products 2018. A report commissioned by Public Health England. London: Public Health England; 2018.
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