E-Cigarettes In Malaysia: A Six-Month Observational Study

In the past few years, consumer interest and the use of electronic cigarettes (EC) as an alternative to smoking have increased exponentially. Many users of EC (also known as vapers) feel that using EC is safer than smoking CC(traditional cigarettes). In view of the effectiveness and safety of e-cigarettes in quitting smoking. The effectiveness and safety of single-user and dual-user e-cigarettes in Kuantan and Pekan Malaysia were observed with the aim of investigating nicotine cessation in EC and CC. The security problems of single EC and double (EC and CC) users within six months were also reported. From June 2015 to November 2015, they observed 218 unique EC patients in Malaysia and dual users over 6 months old. Exhaled carbon monoxide and salivary cotinine analyses were performed in both groups to verify nicotine cessation during EC and CC use. Adverse events and withdrawal symptoms were assessed on a self-report basis.

The data collection

At the beginning of the data collection, the only EC user will only use the EC and the carbon monoxide (CO) level will be less than or equal to 7ppm (PPM). However, for dual users using both EC and CC, CO value 8ppm. This indicates that the median CO level of dual users is significantly higher than that of single EC users. Most of the ecs used in vapers are free from tobacco. Therefore, the steam they produce is free of carbon monoxide and tar. This suggests that the use of EC reduces the toxicity of carbon monoxide more than the use of CC.

EC effect evaluation

Before the use of EC, the median intake of CC in both groups was 20 CC per day. After 6 months of follow-up, 148 dual users were enrolled. The CC consumption rate for dual users did not decrease significantly between the start of data collection and week 24 (P < = 0.087). However, among the only EC users who resumed smoking, their daily CC consumption remained lower than among the dual users (P <0.001). The only EC users showed a higher CC quit rate (29 to 15; OR: 6.33; And EC and CCS for combination (5 to 2; OR: 5.62; P ratio is used for double users <0.036), and the two have obvious difference.

Measurement of adverse reactions

Overall, dual users experienced more adverse effects throughout the study period than did single EC users. One case of COPD was recorded in the dual user group, and the only EC user did not report such a case during the entire study period. The main adverse reactions and withdrawal symptoms observed by dual users were cough, dyspnea and desire to smoke. Overall, the only EC users reported fewer side effects and withdrawal symptoms than the dual users.

Conclusion

Existing studies have shown that the risk level of ECs is lower than that of CCs. EC is currently available as an additional quit smoking support tool in Malaysia, but appropriate procedures must be taken to encourage the use of EC alone and the quality of the product. Is this an acknowledgement that e-cigarettes have certain effects on quit smoking? For the sake of physical health, after proving that e-cigarettes have the function of quitting smoking, how will various countries treat e-cigarettes? Let’s see.