Association of e-cigarette use and smoking cessation among Canadian young adult smokers: secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial

Abstract

AbstractAimsThis study examined the reasons for e-cigarette (EC) use, changes in self-efficacy and association between EC use and cessation of tobacco among Canadian young adult smokers over a 6-month period.MethodsA secondary analysis was conducted using data from a randomised controlled trial (RCT) of young adult Canadian smokers. EC exposure was defined as persistent, transient and non-use of ECs at baseline and follow-up. The association between EC exposure and cessation was examined using logistic regression and adjusting for co-variates.ResultsAt 6-month follow-up, persistent EC use was associated with a lower cessation rate (13%) than transient (23%) or non-use (29%). After adjusting for covariates, non-use and transient use were associated with higher odds of cessation than persistent use (AOR = 3.23, 95% CI = 1.41–7.40, P < 0.01; AOR = 2.40, 95% CI = 1.01–5.58, P < 0.05). At 6-month follow-up, persistent users (68%) had high self-efficacy as compared to transient (15%) or non-use (12%). Top reasons for EC use included use as a quit aid (67%), perceived use as less harmful (52%) and taste (32%).ConclusionsAmong young adult Canadian smokers enrolled in a RCT of a cessation intervention, persistent and transient use of ECs was associated with a lower smoking cessation rate at 6 months.