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. 2015 Autumn;51(4):93–98.

TABLE 1.

Characteristics of studies that are included in the present systematic review

Author, year (reference) Relevant objective of study Sample type Type of intervention, (amount of nicotine) Primary findings
Adriaens et al, 2014 (14) To investigate the efficacy of ENDS both in terms of acute craving reduction in the laboratory and in terms of sustained smoking reduction and to assess the experienced benefits and complaints 48 participants; smoked a minimum of 10 factory-made cigarettes for the past three years and no present motive to quit smoking

  1. Kanger T2-CC* ENDS (18 mg/mL)

  2. Joyetech eGo-C† (18 mg/mL)

  • First laboratory session, after use of EC and previous 4 h of abstinence resulted in reduction in cigarette craving, same magnitude as when cigarette was smoked

  • After 2 months, 34% of EC groups had stopped smoking tobacco cigarette versus 0% in control group

  • After 5 months, (switch over in place), EC group showed 37% total quit rate, and 38% quit rate in control group after initiating EC usage

  • After 8 months, overall 60% reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day

  • After 8 months, reduction or complete abstinence from tobacco smoking was achieved with the EC in 44% of participants
Bullen et al, 2010 (19) To measure the short-term effects of an electronic nicotine delivery device on desire to smoke and withdrawal symptoms 40 participants; smoked at least 10 cigarettes a day for the past year and no present motive to quit smoking

  1. ENDD (16 mg)

  2. Placebo electronic nicotine delivery device (0 mg)

  3. Nicotine inhalator.

  4. Normal factory-made cigarettes

  • Over 60 min, participants using 16 mg ENDD recorded 0.82 units less desire to smoke than the placebo ENDD (P=0.006).

  • No change in desire to smoke between 16 mg ENDD versus inhalator. ENDS showed more pleasant to use than inhalator (P=0.016) and produced less irritation of mouth throat (P<0.001)
Bullen et al, 2013 (20) To assess whether ENDS with cartridges containing nicotine were more effective for smoking cessation than nicotine patches; included a blind comparison with ENDS containing no nicotine (placebo ENDS) 657 participants; smoked ≥10 cigarettes per day for the past year with motives to quit smoking

  1. ENDS (16 mg)

  2. Nicotine patches (21 mg)

  3. Placebo ENDS (0 mg)

  • At 6 months, verified abstinence was 7.3% (21 of 289) with nicotine EC, 5.8% (17 of 295) with patches and 4.1% (3 of 73) with placebo EC. RD for nicotine EC versus patches 1.51 (95% CI −2.49 to 5.510, and for nicotine EC versus placebo EC 3.16 (95% CI −2.29 to 8.61).

  • 7-day point prevalence abstinence: A difference in favour of nicotine EC; however, was not significant at the 6-month post quit date. Repeated measurement at 1 month showed a benefit of nicotine EC compared with patches
Caponnetto et al, 2013 (21) To evaluate smoking reduction, smoking abstinence and adverse events in smokers not intending to quit experimenting two different nicotine strengths of popular ENDS” 300 participants; smoked ≥10 factory-made cigarettes per day for at least five years, and no present motivation to quit smoking

  1. Original EC (7.2 mg)

  2. Categoria EC (5.4 mg)

  3. Placebo (0 mg)

  • Decrease in tobacco cigarettes/day use and eCO levels were observed at each study visits in all three study groups compared with baseline (P<0.001), no consistent differences among study groups. Complete abstinence from tobacco smoking was documented in 22.3% and 10.3% at week 12 and week 52
*

Shenzhen Kanger Technology Co, Ltd, China;

†

Shenzhen Joytech Co, Ltd, China. EC Electronic cigarette; eCO Exhaled carbon monoxide; ENDS Electronic nicotine delivery systems; RD Risk difference