Russell C, et al. – This research entailed the exploration of the role of former smokers, who successfully used e–cigarettes to quit smoking, in increasing the current smokers’ interest in switching and ability to switch to e–cigarettes. The data brought to light the fact that the experienced vapers who used to smoke were eager to advise and provide practical information about vaping to the current smokers. This would be beneficial for their attempts to switch from smoking to vaping. Encouraging cigarette smokers to interact with experienced vapers in places where vapers themselves once received advice and presently gave advice about vaping (vape shops and online discussion fora) could demonstrate notable benefits to aid more smokers to switch to e–cigarette use.

Methods

• A multi-national, self-selected individuals of 4,192 former smokers were recruited who quit smoking by using e-cigarettes.
• They were questioned through an online survey, the advice they would offer to smokers who were considering using e-cigarettes to support an attempt to quit smoking.

Results

• Four emergent themes were determined by the thematic analysis of participants’ qualitative responses:
• (i) Find a combination of vaping device, flavours of e-liquid and nicotine strength that ‘works for you’.
• (ii) Continuing to smoke for a while after starting to vape was OK.
• (iii) Failure to quit smoking with the use of approved smoking cessation aids before success with e-cigarettes was common.
• (iv) Awareness of improved health and hygiene since switching to vaping.