Study Reveals the Impact of E-Cigarettes on Quitting Smoking: Alarming Results for Dual Users

A study published on Wednesday revealed that individuals who use e-cigarettes while continuing to smoke traditional cigarettes are less likely to quit smoking compared to those who rely on a single type of cigarette.

The study, published in the journal “IRJ Open Research”, showed that “dual smokers” tend to revert to traditional smoking over time. The findings were based on a review of research conducted on users of both e-cigarettes and traditional cigarettes.

Quitting Results Over Different Time Periods

• After 4 to 8 months: Only 3% of dual smokers managed to quit, compared to 8% of exclusive e-cigarette users and 6% of traditional cigarette smokers.
• After 8 to 16 months: The quit rate was 5% for dual smokers, 7% for traditional cigarette smokers, and 19% for exclusive e-cigarette users.
• After 16 to 24 months: The rate increased to 13% for dual smokers, 17% for traditional smokers, and 26% for e-cigarette users alone.

The study noted that “most dual users reverted to traditional smoking,” with relapse rates reaching 30% after 4 to 8 months, 47% after 8 to 16 months, and 58% after 16 to 24 months.

The Popularity of E-Cigarettes and Health Challenges
Joseph Hamoud, a research assistant at the University of Göttingen Medical Center and one of the study’s authors, pointed out that e-cigarettes are gaining significant popularity among individuals trying to quit smoking.

However, Hamoud highlighted concerning findings about dual usage, stating, “We still lack a comprehensive understanding of the long-term effects of e-cigarettes on health.”

Lower Risk or Just an Alternative?
E-cigarettes, which have grown substantially over the past decade, do not contain tobacco but use a liquid, often infused with nicotine, that is inhaled as vapor. While they lack tar and carbon monoxide—both linked to cancer and cardiovascular diseases—they are believed to pose significantly lower risks than traditional cigarettes.

Nevertheless, the World Health Organization (WHO) and anti-smoking organizations remain cautious about declaring e-cigarettes safer, awaiting conclusive and unified scientific evidence.