A recent study has found that smokers with COPD who switched to vaping ameliorate some harm associated with smoking and benefits persist long term. “COPD smokers who switched to e-cigarettes: health outcomes at 5-year follow up,” states that the significant reductions in toxic exposures from substituting electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) for combustible cigarette consumption is expected to bring about substantial health gains.
“[ENDS] as a THR strategy may save more lives more swiftly than possible previously,” wrote researchers. ““However, the odds of completely abstaining from conventional cigarettes for [ENDS] users are variable. Most studies suggesting low quit rates for [ENDS] have investigated earlier poor quality vaping products with inadequate nicotine delivery profile. On the contrary, more recent (and better designed) randomised controlled trials (RCTs) using high-quality vaping products are now showing remarkable quit rates – even compared with NRTs.”
Of the survey’s 1190 participants, 75.7 percent stated that they had benefits in respiratory symptoms after switching and less than 1 percent reported a worsening of systems. Additionally, the study found a marked reduction in yearly exacerbations of COPD and overall health improvements. A 3-year follow-up confirmed that these improvements persisted long term.
The Canadian Vaping Association (CVA) says it believes the medical community must review these types of studies to better understand vaping as harm reduction and educate their patients on the true relative risk of vapour products.
“Over the last several years, the medical community has stated that the risks of vaping were largely unknown,” said Darryl Tempest, Executive Director of the CVA. “Fortunately, this is no longer the case. There is now a body of research to support vaping as less harmful than smoking and more effective than nicotine replacement therapy products. The CVA urges health professionals to review the science and encourage patients to reduce their harm through vaping.”
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