Transitioning to E-Cigarettes Aids Resolution of Respiratory Symptoms
TUESDAY, Nov. 12, 2024 -- Transitioning from cigarettes to electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is associated with resolution of respiratory symptoms, but the rate of resolution is reduced among those who switch to dual use or maintain or increase smoking intensity, according to a study published online Nov. 12 in Nicotine & Tobacco Research.
Jonathan B. Berlowitz, M.D., from the Boston University School of Public Health, and colleagues examined whether transitioning from cigarettes to e-cigarettes is associated with resolution of respiratory symptoms using data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) study waves 1 to 5. Observations with cigarette−e-cigarette exposure intervals determined from PATH waves 1 to 2, 2 to 3, and 3 to 4 were included for participants who reported exclusively smoking at baseline and reported a baseline cough or wheeze.
The researchers found that compared with persistent smoking, transitioning from cigarettes to e-cigarettes was associated with increased rates of wheeze resolution (incidence rate ratio, 1.33; 95 percent confidence interval, 1.01 to 1.75), but not with cough resolution (incidence rate ratio, 1.18; 95 percent confidence interval, 0.93 to 1.50) among 5,210 observations. There was no association seen for cigarette to dual-use transitions with improvements in symptom resolution. Compared with persistent smoking, whose who switched to dual use and maintained or increased their smoking intensity had 15 percent reduced rates of respiratory symptom resolution.
"Whereas cigarette users who switch completely to e-cigarettes may experience respiratory symptom improvements, those unable to reduce their smoking intensity may face increased risk of respiratory morbidity," the authors write. "This difference is concerning as U.S. cigarette users are far more likely to transition to dual use than to exclusive e-cigarette use."
Abstract/Full Text (subscription or payment may be required)
Disclaimer: Statistical data in medical articles provide general trends and do not pertain to individuals. Individual factors can vary greatly. Always seek personalized medical advice for individual healthcare decisions.
© 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Read this next
Pre-K and Elementary School Students Have Highest Virus Detection Rates
TUESDAY, Sept. 23, 2025 -- More than 80 percent of pre-kindergarten (pre-K) to 12th-grade students and staff have at least one respiratory virus detected and acute respiratory...
Nicotine Pouch Use May Be a Harm Reduction Strategy
TUESDAY, Sept. 16, 2025 -- The percentage of U.S. adults using nicotine pouches remains low, according to a research letter published online Sept. 8 in JAMA Network...
Point-of-Care Ultrasonography Cuts Costs in Undifferentiated Dyspnea
THURSDAY, Sept. 11, 2025 -- For adult patients hospitalized with undifferentiated dyspnea, cardiopulmonary point-of-care ultrasonography (POCUS) is associated with a reduction in...
More news resources
- FDA Medwatch Drug Alerts
- Daily MedNews
- News for Health Professionals
- New Drug Approvals
- New Drug Applications
- Drug Shortages
- Clinical Trial Results
- Generic Drug Approvals
Subscribe to our newsletter
Whatever your topic of interest, subscribe to our newsletters to get the best of Drugs.com in your inbox.