[Efficacy and security of electronic cigarette for tobacco harm reduction: Systematic review and meta-analysis].

CONTEXT: Smoking is the first cause of preventable death in France and in the world. Without help, it was shown that 80 % of smokers who try to quit smoking relapse after one month with a low long-term success rate. Smoking reduction can concern smokers who did not want to quit or failed in their attempt to weaning. The final aim is to increase attractiveness of drug therapies by developing new products, such as electronic cigarettes, that can compete cigarette without reproducing its harmful effects.

OBJECTIVE: Assess the capacity of electronic cigarettes to reduce or stop tobacco use among regular smokers.

DATA SOURCES: Consultations MEDLINE and COCHRANE databases.

KEYWORDS: e-cigarette; electronic cigarettes; ENDD (electronic nicotine delivery system); ENDS (electronic nicotine delivery device); vaping were used.

TRIAL SELECTION: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing the electronic cigarette with nicotine versus placebo device.

RESULTS: Two randomized controlled trials were included in the quantitative analysis. The nicotine electronic cigarette users have tobacco consumption significantly decreased compared to the placebo group (RR: 1.30, 95 % CI [1.02 to 1.66]) at 6 months. Smoking cessation rate at 3 months was greater with the electronic cigarette contains nicotine (RR: 2.55, 95 % CI [1.31 to 4.98]).

LIMITS: The small number of RCTs included does not allow definitive conclusions about the effectiveness of electronic cigarettes, especially in the medium to long term.

CONCLUSION: The use of electronic cigarette with nicotine decreases tobacco consumption among regular smokers. Further studies are needed to specify electronic cigarettes safety profile and its ability to cause a reduction in consumption and a long-term cessation in smokers.