The study is the first description of attitudes and use of e-cigarettes in Germany.

IntroductionThe use of an electronic-cigarette (e-cigarette) resulted in some previous studies in reduction and cessation of conventional cigarette smoking. This study aims to examine the reasons of using e-cigarettes instead of and in addition to conventional cigarettes in Germany. Furthermore it is determined to what extent e-cigarettes are used as a smoking cessation tool.MethodA cross-sectional study was conducted. The I-Change Model was used as theoretical framework and existing questionnaires were used to build up the present questionnaire. 320 Smokers participated in the study, divided in three groups: E-cigarette smokers (e-smokers) (33%), conventional cigarette smokers (c-smokers) (37%) and smokers of both cigarettes (b-smokers) (30%). Pearson Chi Square tests and analyses of variance were used to assess differences among the group of smokers on demographic variables, smoking behaviour and the constructs of the IChange Model.ResultsAbout half of the e-cigarette users used the e-cigarette in addition to c. cigarettes and the other half instead of c. cigarettes. E-cigarette users were most often men, were less addicted to nicotine and had a higher motivation to stop smoking than c-smokers. E-smokers reported a more positive health and had a lower carbon monoxide concentration compared to c-smokers. E-smokers had a higher self-efficacy in terms of being abstinent from c. cigarettes in certain situations.DiscussionThe results confirmed most of the hypotheses and also important results of previous studies. In addition, a well-conducted randomized-control trial is needed to confirm the efficacy of e-cigarettes as a smoking cessation aid.

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