International Journal of
Environmental Research
and Public Health
Article
Lack of Substantial Post-Cessation Weight Increase in
Electronic Cigarettes Users
Cristina Russo 1 , Fabio Cibella 2 ID , Enrico Mondati 3,4 , Pasquale Caponnetto 4,5 ,
Evelise Frazzetto 3,4 , Massimo Caruso 3,4 ID , Grazia Caci 3 and Riccardo Polosa 3,4,5, *
1
2
3
4
5
*
ID
MCAU ARNAS Garibaldi, 95123 Catania, Italy; kristina_russo@yahoo.com
National Research Council of Italy, Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Immunology, 90100 Palermo,
Italy; fabio.cibella@ibim.cnr.it
Institute of Internal and Emergency Medicine, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria “Policlinico-V. Emanuele”,
University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy; emondati@unict.it (E.M.); evelise.frazzetto@gmail.com (E.F.);
mascaru@unict.it (M.C.); grazia.caci15@gmail.com (G.C.)
Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy;
p.caponnetto@unict.it
Centro per la Prevenzione e Cura del Tabagismo (CPCT), Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria
“Policlinico-V. Emanuele”, University of Catania, 95123 Catania, Italy
Correspondence: polosa@unict.it; Tel.: +39-095-3781583
Received: 23 January 2018; Accepted: 21 March 2018; Published: 23 March 2018
Abstract: Minimization of post-cessation weight gain in quitters is important, but existing approaches
(e.g., antismoking medications) shows only limited success. We investigated changes in body weight
in smokers who quit or reduced substantially their cigarette consumption by switching to electronic
cigarettes (ECs) use. Body weight and smoking/vaping history were extracted from medical records
of smokers and ex-smokers to match three study groups: (1) regular EC users on at least two
consecutive follow-up visits; (2) regular smokers (and not using ECs); (3) subjects who reported
sustained smoking abstinence after completing a cessation program. Review of their medical records
was conducted at two follow-up visits at 6- (F/U 6m) and 12-months (F/U 12m). A total of 86 EC
users, 93 regular smokers, and 44 quitters were studied. In the EC users study group, cigarettes/day
use decreased from 21.1 at baseline to 1.8 at F/U 12m (p < 0.0001). Dual usage was reported by
approximately 50% of EC users. Both within factor (time, p < 0.0001) and between factor (study
groups, p < 0.0001) produced significant effect on weight (% change from baseline), with a significant
4.8% weight gain from baseline in the quitters study group at F/U 12m. For the EC users, weight gain
at F/U 12m was only 1.5% of baseline. There was no evidence of post-cessation weight increase in
those who reduced substantially cigarette consumption by switching to ECs (i.e., dual users) and only
modest post-cessation weight increase was reported in exclusive EC users at F/U 12m. By reducing
weight gain and tobacco consumption, EC-based interventions may promote an overall improvement
in quality of life.
Keywords: smoking cessation; smoking reduction; electronic cigarette; weight gain; tobacco
harm reduction
1. Introduction
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable premature mortality in the world; total tobacco
related deaths are projected to increase from approximately 5 million per year today to over 8 million
annually by 2030 [1]. Mortality is mainly due to lung cancer and to the acute fatal complications of
ischemic heart disease, stroke and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [2,3].
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www.mdpi.com/journal/ijerph
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Quitting smoking is known to reduce the risk of lung cancer, ischemic heart disease, stroke, and
COPD [2–4]. For those willing to quit, a combination of pharmacotherapy and intensive behavioural
intervention for smoking cessation can support quit attempts and can double or triple quit rates [5,6].
However, while stopping smoking results in clear health advantages, it is often accompanied by a
significant increase in body weight [7–9]. In a large prospective UK study, abstainers gained on average
8.79 kg at eight years, whereas continuing smokers only 2.24 kg [8]. As nicotine (in tobacco cigarettes)
is known to suppress appetite and to increase resting metabolic rate [10], weight gain in those who quit
smoking is probably due to the combination of a decline in resting energy expenditure at a time when
appetite is increased. This knowledge is an important deterrent to many smokers (mainly women)
who want to quit [11], and who quote weight loss as a primary reason for smoking [12]. Moreover,
smoking cessation-related weight gain may offset some health advantages of giving up smoking.
Recent evidence indicates that increase in the prevalence of being overweight and obesity in the US
in recent years may be attributed in part to the concurrent drop in smoking [13]. In turn, the rising
prevalence of overweight and obesity is a major cause for the growing type 2 diabetes epidemic [14,15].
A Cochrane review that examined the effectiveness of first line antismoking medications
(i.e., nicotine replacement therapies, bupropion, and varenicline) in preventing post cessation weight
gain [16] showed only modest results, with NRT, bupropion, and varenicline reducing weight gain
only by 0.5 kg, 1.1 kg, and 0.4 kg, respectively. Additionally, this modest advantage was lost rapidly
after treatment discontinuation. In addition, minimization of post cessation weight gain by general
dietary education or exercise programs has not shown consistent results [16]. Consequently, the need
for novel and more efficient approaches is undisputable.
Electronic cigarettes (ECs) are battery-operated devices designed to vaporise an e-liquid (a solution
mainly consisting of glycerol, propylene glycol, distilled water, and flavourings, which may or may
not contain nicotine) by heating an element (most commonly, a metal coil) that generates an inhalable
aerosol. The user inhales the aerosol generated by vaporizing the e-liquid in a process commonly
referred to as “vaping”. ECs do not contain tobacco, do not create smoke and do not rely on combustion
to operate. These consumer products share many similarities with smoking in the behavioural aspect
of their use [17]. Users are predominantly smokers who report using them long term as an alternative
for conventional cigarettes, to reduce cigarette consumption or quit smoking [18–20], to relieve tobacco
withdrawal symptoms [21,22], and to continue having a “smoking experience without smoking” [23,24],
but with much reduced exposure to toxic emissions [25]. A recent prospective randomized controlled
trial has shown that even a mediocre first generation EC (i.e., cigalike) can aid smoking cessation and
reduction with long-term quit rates of up to 8.7% in smokers not intending to quit [26]. Much higher
success rates have been reported in pilot studies with more advanced second and third generation
devices, with an overall quit rate of 36% at six months [27,28]. Nonetheless, the evidence from
observational population-based studies on whether ECs might help or hinder smoking cessation is
mixed [29,30].
Very little is known about post cessation weight gain after switching to ECs use. Specifically,
it is unknown if regular “vaping” (the act of inhaling vapour from ECs) could prevent post cessation
weight gain. To address this, we have measured absolute weight changes for up to one year in smokers
who quit or reduced substantially their tobacco consumption by switching to ECs and compared
these changes to sex- and age-matched smokers who abstained from cigarette smoking after having
successfully completed a cessation program.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Study Samples
We conducted a medical records review of patients with cardiorespiratory conditions regularly
followed-up at the outpatient clinics of four Italian hospitals. Baseline and follow-up data were
extracted from patients’ medical records over a period of approx. 3.5 years (March 2012 to December
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2015). Patients reporting regular daily use of ECs (and if at all conventional cigarettes) on at least
two consecutive follow-up visits (timed at approx. 6 and 12 months) were eligible for inclusion
(EC users study group). Details of EC devices and e-liquid nicotine strengths were extracted from their
12-month visit. Patients’ data obtained from the clinic visit immediately preceding the first of the two
consecutive follow-up visits—when no EC use was yet reported—was considered as their baseline.
Only consecutive follow-up visits timed at approx. 6 and 12 months from baseline were considered for
analysis. Datasets from chart review of a second group of age-, sex-matched patients reporting to be
regular smokers (and not using ECs) over the same observation period from the same participating
clinics were selected as reference (cigarette smokers study group). Consecutive follow-up visits were
timed as for the EC users study group (at approx. 6 and 12 months from baseline).
We have also collected data from age-, sex-matched smokers in good general health who reported
sustained smoking abstinence (for ≥6 months) after successfully completing a cessation program based
on licensed medications (nicotine patch, bupropion, or varenicline) in combination with counselling at
the local smoking cessation center (Centro per la Prevenzione e Cura del Tabagismo—CPCT) (quitters
study group). Baseline and follow-up data were extracted from clinic records of patients regularly
followed-up at CPCT over a period of approx. 3 years (February 2013 to January 2016). Their baseline
measures were obtained before enrolling in the smoking cessation intervention (when they were
smoking). For those who achieved documented sustained abstinence, consecutive follow-up visits
were timed at approx. 6 and 12 months from baseline.
Distribution of gender and age in the two reference study groups (i.e., cigarette smokers and
quitters, respectively) were matched to the cohort of EC users by staff unaware of study design and
objectives. They selected clinical records creating sub-samples with similar age distribution (within a
5-year age span) and an M:F ratio close to 2:1. Researchers involved in the study analysis were not
involved in patients’ medical management. The study was approved by the ethics review board of the
coordinating center (“Policlinico-Vittorio Emanuele Hospitals”) and informed consent was obtained
from each patient.
2.2. Study Design and Study Assessments
Physicians retrospectively reviewed clinical notes. They extracted patient data from the clinic visit
immediately preceding (baseline visit, T0 ) the first of the two follow-ups visits (follow-up visits 1 and 2).
In brief, data from the three clinic visits were collected and analysed. Follow-up visits 1 (F/U 6m) and
2 (F/U 12m) were carried out at 6 (±1) and 12 (±2) months after baseline visits, respectively.
Outpatient clinic visits were all scheduled in the morning (before lunch time). At each visit,
patients were assessed using a standard approach consisting of clinical examination, review of
smoking history, and measurement of body weight and height. Body weight was measured by
using a mechanical column scale (Seca, Intermed Srl, San Giuliano Milanese, Italia) with patients
removing shoes and heavy clothing. Height measurements were taken at the baseline visit by using a
standing scale slide bar. Body mass index (BMI) was computed as weight (kg)/height2 (m).
2.3. Data Management
All demographics and clinical data for study participants were entered in their medical records at
the time of the outpatient visit. For the purposes of this study, patients’ data were later extracted from
their medical record and entered into an electronic spread-sheet prior to statistical computation.
2.4. Study Outcomes
The primary outcome was the change in body weight from baseline to the final follow-up visit at
about 1 year. Secondary outcome was the effect of EC users’ phenotype on weight changes.
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2.5. E-Cigarettes Users Phenotypes
Subjects in the EC users cohort were classified as exclusive users—individuals who reported
exclusive ECs use with no cigarettes smoking (i.e., exclusive vaping with complete self-reported
abstinence from tobacco smoking)—or dual users—individuals who reported ECs use in combination
with cigarette smoking.
2.6. Statistical Analyses
Subjects’ characteristics are presented as means ± standard deviation (SD) for continuous
variables and frequency distribution for categorical variables. Differences among groups were
investigated by means of one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Kruskal–Wallis test for
continuous variables with normal and not normal distribution, respectively. Differences in frequency
distribution of categorical variables were evaluated by χ2 test.
An Analysis of Variance for Repeated Measurements (RMANOVA) model was built on subjects’
weight to find if belonging to any of the 3 groups affected its values. The variable time (T0 , F/U 6m, and
F/U 12m) entered the model as within factor; the variable group (i.e., EC users, cigarette smokers, and
quitters study groups) entered the model as between factor. To evaluate the effect of group on weight
changes over the time, taking into account the effect of possible confounding factors, we estimated
parameters for % weight change as dependent variable and group, sex, BMI, age, and No. of smoked
cigarettes at T0 as independent variables, by means of an unique multiple linear regression analysis
model. The model was separately built for changes at 6 and 12 months.
The analyses were carried out using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL,
USA) for Windows version 20.0 and p values < 0.05 were considered significant.
3. Results
3.1. Patients’ Characteristics
A total of 223 subjects were included in the study and their baseline characteristics are presented
in Table 1, separately for each study group. After reviewing 1258 medical records of patients with
cardiorespiratory conditions (631 with arterial hypertension; 347 with asthma; 280 with COPD),
we identified a total of 86 e (28 F) patients who were regular daily EC users (EC users study group) of
which 44 with a diagnosis of arterial hypertension, 18 with asthma and 24 with COPD; after reviewing
315 medical records of patients with cardiorespiratory conditions (179 with arterial hypertension;
72 with asthma; 64 with COPD), we identified a total of 93 (34 F) age-, sex-matched patients who were
regular smokers and not using ECs (cigarette smokers study group) of which 51 with a diagnosis of
arterial hypertension, 18 with asthma and 24 with COPD; after reviewing 138 records of smokers in
good general health attending our smoking cessation clinic, we identified a total of 44 (15 F) age-,
sex-matched smokers who reported sustained smoking abstinence (for ≥6 months) after completing
a cessation program (quitters study group). There were no significant differences at baseline among
study groups regarding sex, age, body weight, BMI, and number of cigarettes smoked per day (Table 1).
Table 1. Subjects’ characteristics at baseline (T0).
Parameters
EC Users Study Group
N = 86
Cigarette Smokers
Study Group N = 93
Quitters Study Group
N = 44
Sex (No., M/F)
Age (Years, mean ± SD)
Body weight (kg, mean ± SD)
BMI (kg/m2 , mean ± SD)
Cig/day (cig/day, mean ± SD)
58/28
54.2 ± 12.6
72.7 ± 11.9
26.0 ± 3.0
21.1 ± 5.0
59/34
54.3 ± 11.7
72.5 ± 12.0
26.3 ± 3.3
20.5 ± 4.7
29/15
53.3 ± 12.7
74.5 ± 8.9
26.7 ± 2.6
20.2 ± 3.9
At baseline, the distribution of both categorical and continuous variables was not statistically different among study
groups. ECs: electronic cigarettes; SD: standard deviation; BMI: body mass index.
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The selected sample provided a power of 73% for detecting significant differences in weight
changes between exclusive EC users and quitters, with an alpha value of 0.05. The power rose to 99%
for detecting significant differences in weight changes between EC dual users and quitters.
3.2. Changes in Smoking Behaviour and Patterns of e-Cigarette Use
At baseline, all subjects smoked an average of >20 conventional cigarettes/day (Table 1). A marked
reduction in conventional cigarette use was observed in regular EC users. Their overall mean (range)
cigarettes/day use decreased from 21.1 (10–30) at baseline to 2.5 (0–10) at F/U 6m and 1.8 (0–6) at
F/U 12m, respectively (p < 0.0001). Dual usage was reported by 44/86 (51%) patients at F/U 6m and
by 41/86 (48%) patients at F/U 12m, respectively. In dual users, cigarettes/day use was 5.0 (3–10) at
F/U 6m and 3.8 (2–6) at F/U 12m. At least 75% reduction from baseline in cigarette/day consumption
was reported by 71/86 (83%) patients at F/U 6m and by 84/86 (98%) patients at F/U 12m, respectively.
In the EC user group, EC use ranged from 10–14 months, with 81.4% (70 out of 86) patients
using them for more than a year. Details about device type were available from 91.9% (79 out
of 86) EC users; 11 users used first generation ECs (i.e., cigalikes), 32 standard refillable second
generation ECs (i.e., assorted ECO style products) and 36 more advanced design refillable device.
Details about e-liquids nicotine strengths were available from 83.7% (72 out of 86) EC users; all were
consuming nicotine-containing e-liquids with 40 users consuming low (4–9 mg/mL), 22 medium
nicotine (12–18 mg/mL), and 10 high nicotine strengths (>18 mg/mL).
None of the subjects in the quitters group reported any e-cigarettes use at any time.
3.3. Changes in Body Weight
Changes in body weight from baseline are illustrated and reported in Table 2.
Table 2 shows body weight at baseline, at F/U 6m, and at F/U 12m, along with its changes with
respect to baseline both in absolute and percent values, separately for each study group. Within the EC
users study group, the values relevant to exclusive EC users and dual users are also shown.
The RMANOVA model showed that both within factor (time, p < 0.0001) and between factor
(study groups, p < 0.0001) produced significant effect on weight (%change from baseline), but that only
in the quitters study group was a significant effect still evident at F/U 12m, with an average weight
gain from baseline of 4.8% ± 4.5. At F/U 12m, the average weight gain for the EC users was only
1.5% ± 4.1.
In Figure 1, the absolute weight changes from baseline at F/U 6 m and 12 m are illustrated
separately for Dual and exclusive EC users and compared to those of quitters. At F/U 6m, exclusive
EC users had similar weight increase to quitters (2.5 ± 3.7 kg vs. 2.3 ± 2.5 kg; p = 0.688) and were
significantly different from that of dual users (2.5 ± 3.7 kg vs. 0.6 ± 2.5 kg; p = 0.003). However,
exclusive EC users’ weight increase at F/U 12m was significantly lower than quitters (1.6 ± 3.6 kg
vs. 3.4 ± 3.0 kg; p = 0.009) and not statistically different from that of dual users (1.6 ± 3.6 kg vs.
0.8 ± 2.9 kg; p = 0.091).
Table 3 presents the results of the multiple linear regression analysis models for percent weight
change as dependent variable and group (taking separately into account the exclusive EC users and
dual users), sex, age, BMI, and number of cigarettes smoked at T0 as independent variables. The model
was separately built for evaluating changes at 6 and 12 months. At 6m follow-up, significant B
coefficients were found for both quitters (2.79) and exclusive EC users (2.91) study groups with respect
to the regular smokers study group. At 12m follow-up, the slope for quitters study group was 4.13
while the slope relevant to the exclusive EC users was no longer significant and about one-third (1.27)
with respect to quitters. The slope of EC dual users was never significant with respect to the regular
smokers study group.
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Table 2. Body weight (BW) at baseline (BW T0), 6 (BW 6m) and 12 months (BW 12m) and associated changes both in percent values and absolute differences.
BW T0
(kg, Mean ± SD)
BW 6m
(kg, Mean ± SD)
BW 6m *
(%T0 , Mean ± SD)
BW 6m **
(diff T0 , kg, Mean ± SD)
BW 12m
(kg, Mean ± SD)
BW 12m *
(%T0 , Mean ± SD)
BW 12m **
(diff T0 , kg, Mean ± SD)
Cigarette smokers study group
N = 93
72.5 ± 12.0
72.7 ± 11.8
0.5 ± 2.6
0.3 ± 1.8
72.9 ± 11.9
0.7 ± 2.9
0.5 ± 2.1
EC users study group
N = 86
72.7 ± 11.9
74.2 ± 12.6
2.2 ± 4.4 (p = 0.387) †
1.6 ± 3.3
73.8 ± 12.4
1.5 ± 4.1 (p = 0.627) †
1.1 ± 3.2
Exclusive EC users §
Dual users
72.1 ± 11.7
73.2 ± 12.2
74.7 ± 12.8
73.8 ± 12.4
3.5 ± 4.9
0.9 ± 3.4
2.5 ± 3.7
0.6 ± 2.5
72.6 ± 13.2
75.0 ± 11.5
2.2 ± 4.6
0.7 ± 3.5
1.6 ± 3.6
0.8 ± 2.9
Quitters study group
N = 44
74.5 ± 8.9
76.8 ± 8.6
3.2 ± 3.6 (p = 0.048) †
2.3 ± 2.5
77.9 ± 8.4
4.8 ± 4.5 (p = 0.019) †
3.4 ± 3.0
* Changes from baseline in % values; ** Changes from baseline in absolute values (kg). § At 6 months N = 42; at 12 months N = 45. At 6 months N = 44; at 12 months N = 41.
smoker study group. ECs: electronic cigarettes; SD: standard deviation.
†
vs. cigarette
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Table 3. Parameters estimated by multiple linear regression analysis models for percent weight change
at 6 and 12 months as dependent variable and group, sex, age, BMI at baseline, and number of cigarettes
smoked at baseline as independent variables.
Weight Change at 6 Months
Variables
Quitters study group *
EC users study group-exclusive EC users *
EC users study group-dual users *
Sex **
Age (years)
BMI at T0 (kg/m2 )
Cig/day at T0 (No.)
Weight Change at 12 Months
B
95% CI
p
B
95% CI
p
2.794
2.908
0.419
0.630
−0.024
−0.088
0.054
1.549/4.039
1.639/4.176
−0.830/1.669
−0.339/1.599
−0.062/0.014
−0.239/0.063
−0.045/0.152
<0.0001
<0.0001
0.509
0.201
0.212
0.252
0.287
4.127
1.274
0.076
0.983
−0.019
−0.126
0.043
2.780/5.474
−0.034/2.714
−1.309/1.460
−0.066/2.031
−0.060/0.0122
−0.289/0.038
−0.064/0.149
<0.0001
0.054
0.914
0.066
0.357
0.131
0.434
* Reference: Cigarette smokers study group; ** reference: Males. ECs: electronic cigarettes; CI: confidence intervals.
Figure 1. Absolute body weight changes from baseline at 6 (upper panel) and at 12 (lower panel) months
follow-up separately for all EC users, EC dual users, exclusive EC users (i.e., single users), and Quitters.
Horizontal and vertical lines indicate means and standard deviations, respectively. p-values were
computed by means of one-way Analysis of Variance and Fisher’s Least Significant Difference.
4. Discussion
Stopping smoking is known to result in a significant increase in body weight [7–9] and
current approaches aimed at minimizing post cessation weight gain have been shown to be largely
ineffective [16]. Here, we show a lack of substantial weight increase in smokers who quit or
dramatically reduced their tobacco consumption by vaping regularly. These findings are of great
significance bearing in mind the negative health impact that any increase in body weight gain has
on cardiovascular diseases, metabolic conditions, and some cancers [31]. Moreover, lack of weight
gain by switching to regular ECs use may be an important incentive to quit for those smokers who are
concerned about cessation-related weight gain [12,32,33].
As expected, this study confirms previous observations that tobacco smoking helps prevent
weight gain [34,35], with no significant increase in weight being observed in the cohort of smokers who
continued to smoke. On the other hand, smokers who reported sustained smoking abstinence after
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completing a cessation program had a significant increase in body weight; on average, they gained 2.3
and 3.4 kg of weight at 6 and 12 months, respectively. These findings are consistent with previously
published data [7–9,36,37] and with a meta-analysis of 62 prospective studies [38].
An important finding of the present study, however, is that regular use of ECs resulted in reduced
weight gain in those who quit or reduced substantially their tobacco consumption. In our study,
EC users gained on average 1.6 kg and 1.1 kg at 6 months and 12 months, respectively. Thus, the weight
gain measured after switching to ECs was smaller than in smokers who successfully quit smoking (and
not using ECs), and particularly at 12 months. Although this contrasts with smoking cessation trials
of licensed pharmacotherapies where substantial weight gain has been reported systematically [16],
the findings of the present study are consistent with those of a prospective randomized controlled trial
with early design cigalikes, which did not report significant long-term weight gain when compared
with continuing smokers and reducers [39]. Our current retrospective study differs from previous
work [39] in that it explores the effect of more advanced devices in a much larger population of
experienced users. Moreover, in a clinical trial of 387 adult smokers randomised to either switching to
ECs (and substantially reducing tobacco cigarette consumption to below 2 cig/day throughout the
study) or continuing to smoke their own tobacco cigarette brand for a total of 12 weeks, body weight
remained stable in both study groups [40].
It is unlikely that the observed lack of substantial post-cessation weight increase in our EC users
is due to specific confounders. Bearing in mind that women tend to gain more weight than men
after smoking cessation [41,42], if the proportion of women who quit in a given study is substantially
different from men, the level of post-cessation weight gain will probably reflect the relative contribution
of the female population to the overall study sample. However, this was not the case in our study
because female participation was balanced across the three study groups. In any case, the results
of the multiple linear regression analysis for weight change showed no significant effect for gender.
In addition, no effect was detected for age, baseline BMI, and smoking intensity (i.e., number of
cigarettes reported at baseline). Being weight-conscious at time of smoking cessation (or switching)
may be another important confounder of the relation between smoking and change in body weight,
but this was not measured. Smokers attending smoking cessation programs are generally given
tailored instructions to prevent post-cessation weight gain that focus on careful control of eating
behaviours. In any case, this would have underestimated (rather than overestimated) the increase in
body weight observed in the quitters study group.
When weight changes were analysed separately for Dual and exclusive EC users, there were
notable differences. Whereas exclusive EC users had similar weight increase to quitters at six months,
their weight gain was no longer evident at 12 months being reduced by more than 50% compared
to quitters. Dual users, instead, consistently gained less weight than quitters at both time points.
Both findings were unexpected. For the exclusive EC users, it was surprising to observe such a
dichotomy. It is difficult to provide sufficient explanation to clarify the complex gain and drop in
weight among EC users over time. We speculated that the higher prevalence of attendance at the first
follow-up for the exclusive EC users study group in winter months, when more calorically dense food
is consumed and individuals are generally less active, could have been a contributing factor [43,44].
For the dual users, it was equally surprising to observe such an important limitation of their weight
gain considering that their cigarette consumption was so low (on average 2–3 cig/day) to have enabled
the compensatory effect of smoking. It is possible that, when smoking is restricted during main meals,
even a few cigarettes can interfere with eating patterns. Unfortunately, we did not measure food intake
in this study. In addition, the complex gain and drop in weight among EC users over time could have
been due to graduation from less efficient to more efficient device types; unfortunately, this specific
information was not available in the medical record. Further speculation includes the possibility that
(1) intentional weight loss at a later stage can be associated with those exclusive EC users who started
to embrace a healthier lifestyle; and (2) regular exposure to some flavourings in the e-liquid aerosol
may induce satiation enhancement, thus reversing post-cessation weight gain with time.
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Although our data do not allow us to specify the bio-behavioral processes underlying the reported
changes in body weight, lack of substantial post-cessation weight increase in EC users is an important
finding and requires explanation. Because ECs replicate many of the sensory characteristics and rituals
associated with smoking, these positive findings could be explained by the great compensatory effect
of ECs at both physical and behavioral level [45,46].
The mechanisms posited to underlie post cessation weight gain include a decline in resting energy
expenditure and an increase in food intake due to the withdrawal of nicotine [10]. It is possible that
substitution of conventional cigarettes with ECs minimizes post-cessation weight gain by preserving
or increasing levels of nicotine in the body; 86% of the EC users in our study used second and third
generation ECs that have been reported to deliver nicotine at levels close to those obtained from
conventional cigarettes [47,48].
Another possible mechanism is that substitution of conventional cigarettes with devices that mimic
the hand-to-mouth action of smoking might have provided a coping mechanism for the compulsive
eating that arises after cigarette withdrawal [49]. Indeed, even earlier first generation ECs that were
shown to be unable to deliver sufficient nicotine levels could nonetheless substantially reduce post
cessation weight gain [41]. Despite allowing considerably higher nicotine delivery, the nicotine patch
is much less effective in reducing post cessation weight gain compared to nicotine chewing gum [16].
This has been associated with the faster delivery of nicotine by gums, but other explanations are
possible (e.g., the act of chewing may help coping with compulsive eating).
There are some limitations in our study. Firstly, this is a relatively undersized retrospective
study, and results must be interpreted with prudence. Despite the limited number of subjects,
results of the study’s primary outcome were significant and consistent. Standard concerns associated
with retrospective studies (including variance in the quality of information recorded by medical
professionals and difficulty in establishing a causal relationship) also need consideration. Secondly,
no objective assessment of smoking abstinence was performed and cigarette consumption was
self-reported. However, the self-reported number of cigarettes smoked per day in studies of this
type is not subjected to the kind of biases observed in clinical trials where there is the tendency
to claim abstinence [50]. Moreover, similar beneficial effects were also reported in dual users
(i.e., smoking reducers) and therefore objective measures of abstinence are unlikely to be of great
importance. Additionally, confounding factors, which may have had an influence on weight changes
(e.g., weight concern, dietary habits, recreational exercise), were not assessed. Last but not least,
smokers with cardiopulmonary conditions are not directly comparable with smokers in good general
health, and this may have a significant impact on the study’s findings. However, there is no evidence
that ambulatory patients with mild-moderate cardiorespiratory conditions would behave differently
from age- sex-matched healthy smokers from a metabolic standpoint as well as in terms of food
consumption. For example, a study has shown that patients with mild COPD will put up same weight
gain as healthy smokers after smoking cessation [51]. In any case, patients with cardiopulmonary
conditions are likely to be more sedentary than age- and sex-matched healthy smokers and therefore
prone to gain extra weight, thus underestimating (rather than overestimating) the findings of our
study. Therefore, we do not feel that comparing smokers with cardiopulmonary conditions with agesex-matched smokers in good general health might have meaningfully clouded the study’s findings.
5. Conclusions
More research is necessary to better delineate the risk/benefit ratio of e-cigarettes [52,53].
Within the study limitations, EC use may help smokers attenuate cigarette consumption or remain
abstinent, as well as reduce their post-cessation weight increase. The potential role of the e-vapour
category for harm minimization in relation to tobacco and/or food abuse requires confirmation from
larger prospective studies. Moreover, the observed lack of post-cessation weight gain in those who
reduced substantially cigarette consumption by switching to ECs (i.e., dual users) is an interesting
finding and calls for further research investigating the role of nicotine in weight control. Meanwhile,
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2018, 15, 581
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these preliminary findings should be communicated to smokers and particularly to weight-conscious
smokers intending to quit.
By combining substantial reduction of smoking with prevention of post-cessation weight gain,
EC-based interventions may promote an overall improvement in quality of life. Considering that the
negative effects of weight increase could overshadow the health benefits of smoking abstinence [54–56],
it is important to stimulate more research in this area.
Acknowledgments: This research was supported by university grant No. 21040100 of “Ricerca Scientifica
Finanziata dall’Ateneo di Catania”.
Author Contributions: Riccardo Polosa and Cristina Russo were involved in the concept, data interpretation and
drafting of the manuscript. Fabio Cibella and Massimo Caruso carried out the data analyses, were involved in their
interpretation, drafting and revision of the manuscript. Cristina Russo, Enrico Mondati, Pasquale Caponnetto,
Evelise Frazzetto and Grazia Caci were involved in the review of medical records and data collection.
Conflicts of Interest: Riccardo Polosa is a full-time employee of the University of Catania, Italy. In relation to his
work in the area of tobacco control, Riccardo Polosa has received lecture fees and research funding from Pfizer and
GlaxoSmithKline, manufacturers of stop smoking medications. He has also served as a consultant for Pfizer, Global
Health Alliance for treatment of tobacco dependence, ECITA (Electronic Cigarette Industry Trade Association, in
the UK) and Health Diplomat (consulting company that delivers solutions to global health problems with special
emphasis on harm minimization). Lecture fees from a number of European electronic cigarette industry and trade
associations (including FIVAPE in France and FIESEL in Italy) were directly donated to vaper advocacy non-profit
organizations. He is currently scientific advisor for LIAF, Lega Italiana Anti Fumo (Italian acronym for Italian
Anti Smoking League) and Head of the European Technical Committee for standardization on “Requirements
and test methods for emissions of electronic cigarettes” (CEN/TC 437; WG4). The other authors have no conflict
of interests.
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