Helping the quitters quit: A systematic review and narrative synthesis of the barriers and facilitators to e-cigarette cessation and the support that is needed. Issue 6 (June 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dyson, Judith; Bhatnagar, Malvika; Skinner, James; Crooks, Michael
• Is Part Of: Patient education and counseling. Volume 105:Issue 6(2022)
• Page Start: 1402
• Page End: 1410
• Publication Date: 2022-06
• Subjects: Smoking cessation -- E-cigarette cessation -- Behavioural interventions; Patient education -- Periodicals; Health counseling -- Periodicals; Health education -- Periodicals; Counseling -- Periodicals; Patient Education -- Periodicals; Éducation des patients -- Périodiques; Counseling -- Périodiques; Éducation sanitaire -- Périodiques; 615.5071
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pec.2021.09.024
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0738-3991

Abstract

Highlights: Smoking cessation is the main reason for e-cigarette use among smokers; without support, many people return to tobacco. There are both similarities and differences in the challenges faced by those quitting e-cigarettes as those quitting tobacco. Some health care organisations are now using e-cigarettes as a means of smoking cessation E-cigarette cessation support should be considered when e-cigarettes are used as part of the smoking cessation process Abstract: Objective: To investigate the barriers and facilitators to and support needed for e-cigarette cessation. Methods: We systematically searched the subject-specific databases MEDLINE, CINAHL complete and psycINFO and the Cochrane database using synonyms relating to the terms e-cigarettes and cessation including English language, empirical, peer reviewed research papers, published from 2010 to 2021. We included papers that addressed the research question in its broadest sense, including papers reporting reasons for and interventions to support e-cigarette cessation. Data extraction was completed two authors independently using a bespoke spreadsheet. We conducted a narrative synthesis of all data and we were able to extract and combine descriptive quantitative data from included survey papers. Results: After reviewing 2593 titles 10 papers fit our criteria. Barriers to e-cigarette cessation were: a fear of returning to tobacco, dependency and stress reduction. Barriers or facilitators were: health and hazard beliefs, degree of enjoyment, social influences and environmental factors. A number of e-cigarette smoking support measures were suggested by participants. Practice implications: E-cigarette cessation poses similar and additional challenges to that of tobacco cessation. E-cigarettes are not the final step on a journey to smoking cessation. Addressing barriers specific to e-cigarettes need to be considered in intervention design.