New research has shown there is a stronger connection between inhaled nicotine and quitting smoking than previously thought. Or, at least a stronger connection than what has previously been shown through the limited study data available.
In a recent study published as an editorial in JAMA by Nancy Rigotti, MD, director of the Tobacco Research and Treatment Center at Massachusetts General Hospital this October.
Rigotti (2020) and several of her colleagues published a review of 50 studies on the Cochrane Library. The purpose of these studies was to evaluate the safety of using inhaled nicotine, and how effective they were in helping long-term smokers quit.
More than 12,430 adult smokers took part in a series of controlled trials, one of the largest collections of studies in its class. In these studies, a number of smokers were randomised to inhaled nicotine, and the duration in which they quit smoking was monitored.
In summary, the studies showed that there was “moderate-certainty evidence” that quit rates in smokers were higher in those who were given inhaled nicotine as a replacement to smoking.
Why is this important?
Any new studies into safer ways for smokers to quit are valuable data. More than 8 million people die as a result of smoking globally every year.
The global impact, both directly on the health of smokers, and the financial implications individually and on health services around the world is immense
According to a survey carried out in 2015, about 70% of smokers in the United States wanted to quit. Out of that 70%, about 55% actually attempted to quit. From that 55%, only 7% were successful in their efforts to quit for a period of at least 6 months.
We know that the main reason why most people fail to quit is because of the withdrawal symptoms, stress, and weight gain. All of which are tied to going “cold turkey” or not using cessation aids that contain nicotine.
Rigotti (2020) and her team see inhaled nicotine as a new option to help smokers quit. As they contain nicotine, of which the amount a person is inhaling can be controlled, there are few to no withdrawal symptoms.
In addition to this, they do not burn tobacco as cigarettes do. This means the users are not inhaling harmful toxin-filled smoke – neither are they having a negative effect on those around them with passive smoke.
In conclusion
From the results of the 50 studies, Rigotti (2020) and her team concluded FDA-approved therapies should be the first choice for patients wanting to stop smoking.
They present the safest option we currently have, with the highest chance of success.
To learn more about inhaled nicotine and how they can help you quit smoking in a safer, and more reliable way, get in touch to speak with a member of the team.