2013/03/05 by Amanda Barbeau, Jennifer Burda, Michael Siegel · 235 citations
Medicine · Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology · Psychology · Nursing · #Smoking Behavior and Cessation #Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors Study #Substance Abuse Treatment and Outcomes #Nicotine #Addiction #Smoking cessation #Focus group #Qualitative research #Health psychology #Nicotine replacement therapy #Electronic cigarette #Psychology #Medicine #Clinical psychology #Tobacco control #Psychiatry #Public health #Nursing
paper · pdf · doi:10.1186/1940-0640-8-5
published in Addiction Science & Clinical Practice 8(1), 5 (BioMed Central)
openalex publication_date 2013/03/05 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/29
BACKGROUND: Nicotine is widely recognized as an addictive psychoactive drug. Since most smokers are bio-behaviorally addicted, quitting can be very difficult and is often accompanied by withdrawal symptoms. Research indicates that nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) can double quit rates. However, the success rate for quitting remains low. E-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) are battery-powered nicotine delivery devices used to inhale doses of vaporized nicotine from a handheld device similar in shape to a cigarette without the harmful chemicals present in tobacco products. Anecdotal evidence strongly suggests that e-cigarettes may be effective in helping smokers quit and preventing relapse, but there have been few published qualitative studies, especially among successful e-cigarette users, to support this evidence. METHODS: Qualitative design using focus groups (N = 11); 9 men and 2 women. Focus groups were conducted by posing open-ended questions relating to the use of e-cigarettes, comparison of effectiveness between NRTs and e-cigarettes, barriers to quitting, and reasons for choosing e-cigarettes over other methods. RESULTS: Five themes emerged that describe users' perceptions of why e-cigarettes are efficacious in quitting smoking: 1) bio-behavioral feedback, 2) social benefits, 3) hobby elements, 4) personal identity, and 5) distinction between smoking cessation and nicotine cessation. Additionally, subjects reported their experiences with NRTs compared with e-cigarettes, citing negative side effects of NRTs and their ineffectiveness at preventing relapse. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest tobacco control practitioners must pay increased attention to the importance of the behavioral and social components of smoking addiction. By addressing these components in addition to nicotine dependence, e-cigarettes appear to help some tobacco smokers transition to a less harmful replacement tool, thereby maintaining cigarette abstinence.