Experiences of women with cervical dysplasia and associated diagnoses using electronic cigarettes for smoking substitution

Abstract

IntroductionThe aim of this qualitative study was to describe the motivation and experiences of women with cervical dysplasia and associated diagnoses who used electronic cigarettes (ECs) to reduce the number of cigarettes they smoked.MethodsQualitative interviews were conducted with 26 women aged 18‐65 years with cervical dysplasia and associated diagnoses who smoked at least three cigarettes daily for the past year or more and who enrolled in an intervention designed to substitute regular cigarettes with ECs. At the 12‐week follow‐up, patients were contacted by telephone. Semi‐structured interviews were recorded, then transcribed, coded and analysed for themes.ResultsWhen confronted with a new diagnosis associated with smoking, women in this study were eager to try ECs to help them reduce their intake of cigarettes. Women reported that physical cues similar to smoking, delivery of nicotine sufficient to assist with smoking reduction and the security of having the device available to use in instances where temptations to smoke may occur were all positive experiences in trying the device. Other women in the study reported negative experiences, such as a lack of sufficient nicotine to eliminate cravings, heaviness of the device and the need to keep it charged. Depression, nicotine addiction and habit were factors that made it difficult to decrease cigarette consumption.ConclusionsFindings suggest that ECs may help with smoking substitution in patients who must reduce smoking due to medical conditions or diagnoses.

Tobacco Use and Tobacco Treatment Referral Response of Patients With Cancer: Implementation Outcomes at a National Cancer Institute–Designated Cancer Center

“…Although only 1% of patients with cancer in this study engaged in this behavior, other studies have found that 3%-25% of patients with cancer are current users of electronic cigarettes, 37 , 38 a number that may increase with time, 39 in part because smokers believe that these products aid smoking cessation. 40 Tobacco use is a deeply entrenched behavior that cancer care providers cannot ignore because of fears of upsetting patients or perceptions of inadequate training. 22 , 41 The aforementioned tobacco use rates underscore the need to ask every patient at every visit about tobacco use and advise tobacco users to quit consistent with quality health care delivery 42 and best practices for cancer care.…”