Non-Cigarette Tobacco Products as Harm Reduction Tools in Smokers who Failed to Quit with Traditional Methods
This clinical trial evaluates whether electronic (e)-cigarettes are more useful in helping smokers stop smoking as compared to approved nicotine replacement therapy in the form of patches and lozenges or varenicline. Most harm from cigarettes comes from the combustion (burning) of tobacco. E-cigarettes deliver similar levels of nicotine as cigarettes and are satisfying to smokers, but emit fewer harmful chemicals than cigarettes. Nicotine patches and lozenges are approved for smoking cessation and varenicline is a prescription medication for smoking cessation. Switching to non-combustible products could reduce the harms of tobacco on a population level if smokers are more likely to switch than they are to completely quit using traditional methods. E-cigarettes may have the potential to serve as a harm reduction tool for current cigarette smokers who have been unable to quit smoking.