A Smoke-Free Population Is The New American Dream

With a high increase in nicotine e-cigarette sales in the U.S, particularly among younger generations, smoking cessation has been called for across the country. 

Recent studies are identifying non-effective and effective smoking cessation aids and FDA-approved pharmaceutical aids for those trying to quit the bad habit. Within these studies, e-cigarettes have been found to be less popular and less helpful than other traditional medications and aids on the market, including patches, gum, or lozenges.

Current Trends And Alarming Stats In National E-Cigarette Sales  

The CDC Foundation’s recent data brief highlights data from the Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health Study; published in the BMJ Journal, identifies trends in national e-cigarette sales from January 2017 to March 2021, and tobacco use among U.S. citizens over time. 

The key findings include:

• “National total e-cigarette unit sales increased by 46.3% from February 23, 2020, to March 21, 2021.  
• E-cigarette sales increased by 29.9% between September 6, 2020, and March 21, 2021.  
• As of March 21, 2021, all non-tobacco flavored e-cigarettes accounted for 73.7% of the national e-cigarette market, and menthol e-cigarette sales accounted for 41.7% of the market.  
• Market shares of disposable e-cigarettes and menthol-flavored prefilled cartridges significantly increased in 2020.

Adding to the alarming trends, according to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), teen use of e-cigarettes has become an epidemic, with e-cigarettes found to be the gateway drug for many teens.

A possible cause in increased popularity for e-cigarettes could be their use as a smoke cessation aid. Thus, in efforts to assess the effectiveness of e-cigarettes in smoking cessation in the U.S, recently conducted original research. 

Outcomes Of Original Research On Effectiveness Of E-Cigarettes As A Smoking Cessation Aid 

• E-cigarettes were found to be less popular than FDA-approved pharmaceutical aids, such as medications or the use of patches, gum, or lozenges
• “E-cigarettes were also associated with less successful quitting. Nearly 60% of recent former smokers who were daily e-cigarette users had resumed smoking
• No evidence was found that proves that the use of e-cigarettes is an effective cessation aid
• E-cigarettes were less effective than gum and other nicotine replacement aids
• Individuals using e-cigarettes to quit smoking found them to be less helpful than more traditional smoking cessations aids
• Use of e-cigarettes as a cessation aid dropped by 25% from 2017 to 2019

Another study found that smoking in real-world environments can not be stopped through e-cigarettes. According to the study, individuals who quit smoking tobacco cigarettes by replacing tobacco cigarettes with e-cigarettes were 8.5% more likely to resume smoking when compared to those who quit all tobacco products.

Overall, higher-octane and higher nicotine e-cigarettes have been found as less effective tools for those who used them to stop smoking.

When E-Cigarettes Are Found Ineffective For U.S Individuals Trying To Quit Smoking

Should individuals wish to quit smoking and find e-cigarettes not effective, other means of smoking cessation can be sought after which include: 

• Pharmacological and behavioral support
• Stop smoking service that offers financial incentives and rewards
• Short- and long-acting nicotine replacement therapy
• Education and awareness 
• Support from health experts, family and friends
• Nicotine replacement aids

A Smoke-Free America Is The New American Dream

No matter what tool or method is used to quit smoking, individuals across the country are recommended to stop smoking. Together, every individual can contribute to a renewed effort to reduce the health burden of smoking and reduce the heavy toll currently placed on the nation’s health. 

Reducing the level of smoking in the country will play a positive role in increasing the population’s life expectancy and improving the health and well-being of every U.S citizen. 

Together, through the support of individuals and collaboration as a group and the use of every tool in the country’s arsenal to reduce high smoking rates, smokers will feel completely enabled to stop smoking and give up tobacco products altogether.