Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2011

Open Access 01-12-2011 | Case report

Successful smoking cessation with electronic cigarettes in smokers with a documented history of recurring relapses: a case series

Authors: Pasquale Caponnetto, Riccardo Polosa, Cristina Russo, Carmelo Leotta, Davide Campagna

Published in: Journal of Medical Case Reports | Issue 1/2011

Login to get access

Abstract

Introduction

Smoking cessation programs are useful in helping smokers to quit, but smoking is a very difficult addiction to break and the need for novel and effective approaches to smoking cessation interventions is unquestionable. The E-cigarette is a battery-powered electronic nicotine delivery device that may help smokers to remain abstinent during their quit attempt. We report for the first time objective measures of smoking cessation in smokers who experimented with the E-cigarette.

Case presentation

Three Caucasian smokers (two men aged 47 and 65 years and one woman aged 38 years) with a documented history of recurring relapses were able to quit and to remain abstinent for at least six months after taking up an E-cigarette.

Conclusions

This is the first time that objective measures of smoking cessation are reported for smokers who quit successfully after using an E-cigarette. This was accomplished in smokers who repeatedly failed in previous attempts with professional smoking cessation assistance using the usual nicotine dependence treatments and smoking cessation counselling.
Appendix
Available only for authorised users
Literature
1.
go back to reference Doll R, Peto R, Boreham J, Sutherland I: Mortality in relation to smoking: 50 years' observations on male British doctors. BMJ. 2004, 328: 1519-1528. 10.1136/bmj.38142.554479.AE.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Doll R, Peto R, Boreham J, Sutherland I: Mortality in relation to smoking: 50 years' observations on male British doctors. BMJ. 2004, 328: 1519-1528. 10.1136/bmj.38142.554479.AE.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
2.
go back to reference Boyle P, Gray N, Henningfield J, Seffrin J, Zatonski W: Tobacco and Public Health: Science and Policy. 2004, Oxford: Oxford University Press Boyle P, Gray N, Henningfield J, Seffrin J, Zatonski W: Tobacco and Public Health: Science and Policy. 2004, Oxford: Oxford University Press
3.
go back to reference US Department of Health and Human Services: The health benefits of smoking cessation. 1990, (DHHS Publication No. (CDC) 90-8516). USA, US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health US Department of Health and Human Services: The health benefits of smoking cessation. 1990, (DHHS Publication No. (CDC) 90-8516). USA, US Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health
4.
go back to reference Lightwood JM, Glantz SA: Short-term economic and health benefits of smoking cessation. Circulation. 1997, 96: 1089-1096.CrossRefPubMed Lightwood JM, Glantz SA: Short-term economic and health benefits of smoking cessation. Circulation. 1997, 96: 1089-1096.CrossRefPubMed
5.
go back to reference Fiore MC, Jaen CR, Baker TB, Bailey WC, Benowitz N, Curry SJ: Treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update. 2008, US Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service Fiore MC, Jaen CR, Baker TB, Bailey WC, Benowitz N, Curry SJ: Treating tobacco use and dependence: 2008 update. 2008, US Dept of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service
6.
go back to reference Hughes JR, Keely J, Naud S: Shape of the relapse curve and long-term abstinence among untreated smokers. Addiction. 2004, 99: 29-38. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00540.x.CrossRefPubMed Hughes JR, Keely J, Naud S: Shape of the relapse curve and long-term abstinence among untreated smokers. Addiction. 2004, 99: 29-38. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2004.00540.x.CrossRefPubMed
7.
go back to reference Casella G, Caponnetto P, Polosa R: Therapeutic advances in the treatment of nicotine addiction: present and future. TACD. 2010, 1: 95-106. Casella G, Caponnetto P, Polosa R: Therapeutic advances in the treatment of nicotine addiction: present and future. TACD. 2010, 1: 95-106.
8.
go back to reference Hon L: A non-smokable electronic spray cigarette (CA 2518174) (Patent notice). Canadian Patent Office Record. 2005, 133: 129- Hon L: A non-smokable electronic spray cigarette (CA 2518174) (Patent notice). Canadian Patent Office Record. 2005, 133: 129-
10.
go back to reference Piccillo G, Caponnetto P, Barton S, Russo C, Origlio A, Bonaccorsi A, Di Maria A, Oliveri C, Polosa R: Changes in airway hyperresponsiveness following smoking cessation: comparisons between Mch and AMP. Respir Med. 2008, 102: 256-265. 10.1016/j.rmed.2007.09.004.CrossRefPubMed Piccillo G, Caponnetto P, Barton S, Russo C, Origlio A, Bonaccorsi A, Di Maria A, Oliveri C, Polosa R: Changes in airway hyperresponsiveness following smoking cessation: comparisons between Mch and AMP. Respir Med. 2008, 102: 256-265. 10.1016/j.rmed.2007.09.004.CrossRefPubMed
11.
12.
go back to reference Jimenez-Ruiz CA, Masa F, Miravitlles M, Gabriel R, Viejo JL, Villasante C, Sobradillo V: Smoking characteristics: differences inattitudes and dependence between healthy smokers and smokers with COPD. Chest. 2001, 119: 1365-1370. 10.1378/chest.119.5.1365.CrossRefPubMed Jimenez-Ruiz CA, Masa F, Miravitlles M, Gabriel R, Viejo JL, Villasante C, Sobradillo V: Smoking characteristics: differences inattitudes and dependence between healthy smokers and smokers with COPD. Chest. 2001, 119: 1365-1370. 10.1378/chest.119.5.1365.CrossRefPubMed
13.
go back to reference Walters N, Coleman T: Comparison of the smoking behaviour and attitudes of smokers who attribute respiratory symptoms to smoking with those who do not. Br J Gen Pract. 2002, 52: 132-134.PubMedPubMedCentral Walters N, Coleman T: Comparison of the smoking behaviour and attitudes of smokers who attribute respiratory symptoms to smoking with those who do not. Br J Gen Pract. 2002, 52: 132-134.PubMedPubMedCentral
14.
go back to reference Laurier E, McKie L, Goodwin N: Daily and life course contexts of smoking. Sociol Health Illn. 2000, 22: 289-309. 10.1111/1467-9566.00205.CrossRef Laurier E, McKie L, Goodwin N: Daily and life course contexts of smoking. Sociol Health Illn. 2000, 22: 289-309. 10.1111/1467-9566.00205.CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Cahn Z, Siegel M: Electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for tobacco control: A step forward or a repeat of past mistakes?. J Public Health Policy. 2011, 32: 16-31. 10.1057/jphp.2010.41.CrossRefPubMed Cahn Z, Siegel M: Electronic cigarettes as a harm reduction strategy for tobacco control: A step forward or a repeat of past mistakes?. J Public Health Policy. 2011, 32: 16-31. 10.1057/jphp.2010.41.CrossRefPubMed
20.
go back to reference Polosa R, Caponnetto P, Morjaria JB, Papale G, Campagna D, Russo C: Effect of an electronic nicotine delivery device (e-cigarette) on smoking cessation and reduction: a prospective pilot study. BMC Public Health. 2011, 11: 786-10.1186/1471-2458-11-786.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Polosa R, Caponnetto P, Morjaria JB, Papale G, Campagna D, Russo C: Effect of an electronic nicotine delivery device (e-cigarette) on smoking cessation and reduction: a prospective pilot study. BMC Public Health. 2011, 11: 786-10.1186/1471-2458-11-786.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
21.
go back to reference Osterdahl B-G, Jansson C, Paccou A: Decreased levels of tobacco specific N-nitrosamines in moist snuff on the Swedish market. J Agric Food Chem. 2004, 52: 5085-5088. 10.1021/jf049931a.CrossRefPubMed Osterdahl B-G, Jansson C, Paccou A: Decreased levels of tobacco specific N-nitrosamines in moist snuff on the Swedish market. J Agric Food Chem. 2004, 52: 5085-5088. 10.1021/jf049931a.CrossRefPubMed
22.
go back to reference Fagerström KO, Schildt EB: Should the European Union lift the ban on snus? Evidence from the Swedish experience. Addiction. 2003, 98: 1191-1195. 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00442.x.CrossRefPubMed Fagerström KO, Schildt EB: Should the European Union lift the ban on snus? Evidence from the Swedish experience. Addiction. 2003, 98: 1191-1195. 10.1046/j.1360-0443.2003.00442.x.CrossRefPubMed
23.
24.
go back to reference Lund KE, Scheffels J, McNeill A: The association between use of snus and quit rates for smoking: results from seven Norwegian cross-sectional studies. Addiction. 2011, 106: 162-167. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03122.x.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral Lund KE, Scheffels J, McNeill A: The association between use of snus and quit rates for smoking: results from seven Norwegian cross-sectional studies. Addiction. 2011, 106: 162-167. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2010.03122.x.CrossRefPubMedPubMedCentral
25.
go back to reference Kozlowski LT, O'Connor RJ, Edwards BQ, Flaherty BP: Most smokeless tobacco use is not a causal gateway to cigarettes: using order of product use to evaluate causation in a national US sample. Addiction. 2004, 99: 260-262.CrossRef Kozlowski LT, O'Connor RJ, Edwards BQ, Flaherty BP: Most smokeless tobacco use is not a causal gateway to cigarettes: using order of product use to evaluate causation in a national US sample. Addiction. 2004, 99: 260-262.CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Etter JF, Bullen C: Electronic cigarette: users profile, utilization, satisfaction and perceived efficacy. Addiction. 2011, 106: 2017-2028. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03505.x.CrossRefPubMed Etter JF, Bullen C: Electronic cigarette: users profile, utilization, satisfaction and perceived efficacy. Addiction. 2011, 106: 2017-2028. 10.1111/j.1360-0443.2011.03505.x.CrossRefPubMed
Metadata
Title
Successful smoking cessation with electronic cigarettes in smokers with a documented history of recurring relapses: a case series
Authors
Pasquale Caponnetto
Riccardo Polosa
Cristina Russo
Carmelo Leotta
Davide Campagna
Publication date
01-12-2011
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Journal of Medical Case Reports / Issue 1/2011
Electronic ISSN: 1752-1947
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1752-1947-5-585

Other articles of this Issue 1/2011

Journal of Medical Case Reports 1/2011 Go to the issue