Safety data still sorely lacking in study comparing electronic cigarettes to nicotine patches

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 9, 2013
Statement from Tobacco Free North Dakota
Bismarck, ND — Today, national news stories reported the findings of a New Zealand study testing the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes in helping smokers quit, comparing results to that of smokers who attempted to quit using nicotine patches.  Results of this study showed similar quit rates but are not sufficient enough to convince public health experts to embrace e-cigarettes as nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) devices at this time.
“A single study is not sufficient, and safety data is still sorely lacking,” said Dr. Eric L. Johnson, President of Tobacco Free North Dakota.  “We would welcome more efficacy data and safety data from the FDA to back this data up.”
“As well, a 5.7% quit rate as found in this study, is not overly impressive.  FDA-approved NRTs, including nicotine patches and medications like Bupropion and Chantix, have data in the 20-45% quit rate range, and NDQuits, North Dakota’s free tobacco cessation program, has had a 30% quit rate for nine years,” Johnson added.
The release of this study comes just days after the CDC announced disturbing statistics showing huge increases in electronic cigarette use by youth and industry efforts to target them by selling flavors such as cotton candy, bubble gum, and watermelon.
“Until the FDA rules on the safety and efficacy of electronic cigarettes, Tobacco Free North Dakota does not feel comfortable promoting products like e-cigarettes as safe or effective cessation products, especially when North Dakotans have great access to a successful program like NDQuits,” said Erin Hill-Oban, Tobacco Free North Dakota’s Executive Director.