Non-cigarette Tobacco Products as Harm Reduction Tools in Smokers Who Failed to Quit With Traditional Methods

Even though e-cigarettes have risen in prevalence over the last decade, data on the use of these products as harm reduction tools for smokers who try to switch completely is lacking.

These data are urgently needed for several reasons.

1. Clinicians cannot provide clear guidance to smokers who may be interested in switching. Questions from medical patients about e-cigarettes are on the rise, and data show that medical providers are providing mixed messages about the safety and utility of e-cigarettes, with some physicians discouraging their use and some recommending them as cessation aids.
2. Public health organizations are also providing mixed messages about the health risks of non-cigarette tobacco products-with some not recommending their use at all (The American Cancer Society, American Lung Association), and some acknowledging that complete switching to e-cigarettes would reduce health risks compared to continued smoking, but not recommending the use of these products over traditional methods (Centers for Disease Control, Food and Drug Administration).
3. In the absence of clear messaging about non-cigarette products, smokers who fail with traditional methods are continuing to smoke cigarettes, the most harmful tobacco product available.

The reviews underscore the need for additional data on this topic, especially data comparing the products to pharmacotherapy. The goal of the proposed study is to provide one of the first well-designed randomized controlled trials that addresses whether alternative tobacco products (e-cigarettes) have the potential to serve as harm reduction tools in a critical population-smokers who have tried to quit smoking using FDA-approved pharmacotherapy and failed to do so.