University of São Paulo: E-cigarettes spark debate over their effectiveness in combating smoking
In recent times, especially among young people, the use of electronic cigarettes, also known as vape or pod, has become a common habit. In Brazil, the sale of the product has been prohibited by the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) since 2009, which does not prevent its sale illegally and very simply through physical and online stores. On the other hand, the UK government is betting on the product as a way to reduce the number of common cigarette users and encourages its use.
In Brazil, even with the ban on the sale of electronic cigarettes, a recent survey by Ipec (Intelligence in Research and Strategic Consulting) points out that more than 2 million adults use the product, which indicates the ineffectiveness of the ban measures. The English government, in April of this year, presented a package of measures with the aim of distributing 1 million kits of electronic cigarettes for free to its population, in an attempt to reduce smoking rates in England to less than 5% by 2030.
Pneumologist Ubiratan de Paula Santos, from the Pulmonology Division of the Heart Institute of the Hospital das Clínicas of the Faculty of Medicine (HCFM) at USP, comments that some points generate this divergence. The lack of studies on the harmfulness of electronic cigarettes and their effectiveness in the process of removing common cigarettes from smoking habits are some of them, points out the doctor. “There is no evidence or studies, as this is something recent, about the long-term health risks of electronic cigarette users”, comments Santos.
The permanence of the habit
The specialist comments that the measure adopted by the United Kingdom, by simulating the way of smoking, that is, the individual maintains the habit of putting his finger in his mouth and all the rituals of the moment, would be a more effective way to quit the addiction, when compared to methods such as nicotine replacement through patches or even chewing gum. However, this is an argument without evidence, since the person who opts for electronic cigarettes is still dependent on nicotine. “It’s different from the treatment, when you use the usual drugs, with a psychic behavioral approach, and we use medication for a certain period of time”, clarifies Santos.
Recent studies show that most individuals who switched from regular cigarettes to electronic cigarettes, even if they were able to completely stop using the common product, “continued inhaling high doses of nicotine through electronic cigarettes”, says the pulmonologist.
João, fictitious name, in an attempt to quit smoking after 18 years, opted for the use of vapes and says that, in the beginning, the adaptation was difficult. At first, João bought essence with nicotine and, little by little, reduced the amount; for him, the method was a good alternative. “Today I smoke electronic cigarettes very little, and only with essence. But I intend to stop him too.”
In addition, Santos comments that it is common for people to continue using both types of cigarettes. The high value of vapes, when compared to regular cigarettes, is one of the main factors for this to happen. “The individual does not have the money to buy electronic cigarettes and opts for the cheapest product”, clarifies the pulmonologist.
differences of opinion
The doctor says that the Pulmonology Division of the Hospital das Clínicas da FM in São Paulo does not recommend the use of electronic cigarettes as a form of treatment to stop the use of regular cigarettes. “There are classic and well-documented forms, in exhaustive studies all over the world, about medicines and drugs that can be used for a determined period of time to help people stop smoking”, comments Santos. In addition, neurobehavioral monitoring is performed to help the smoker kick the habit, he adds. “Treatment with electronic cigarettes is not aimed at stopping nicotine dependence, the objective is to stop the use of ordinary cigarettes”, concludes the doctor.