Vapeline
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Do e-cigarettes help smokers quit when not accompanied by intensive behavioural support?
IRAS ID
284500
Contact name
Katie Myers Smith
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Queen Mary University of London, Joint Research Management Office (WCH)
ISRCTN Number
ISRCTN61193406
Duration of Study in the UK
3 years, 8 months, 31 days
Research summary
We recently completed a trial which showed e-cigarettes (EC) are more effective in helping smokers quit than nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), e.g. patches, chewing gum. EC and NRT were used within the specialist stop-smoking services (SSS) and accompanied by weekly support sessions. SSS are important; however, attendance requires time and effort and under 5% of smokers attend. Less intensive treatments may be less effective, but can reach more smokers and thus help more people. This trial will show whether, and to what extent, EC can help smokers quit with less intensive or no support.
We propose to test two approaches that provide EC starter packs: Either with five weekly support telephone calls from an EC helpline; or just with initial one-off telephone advice. This will be compared with the NHS Smokefree Quit Now online programme that provides e-mails and/or texts daily for 28 days with advice on coping with cravings, using medications and other aids, encouragement to attend local SSS, and motivational messages. This is currently the most economical approach in use. For EC starter packs to be a useful addition to treatments that are already provided by the NHS, they need to show higher efficacy than the Quit Now programme.
A total of 1,170 smokers will be allocated to one of these three study arms at random and we will find out how many have stopped smoking 6 and 12 months later. Those who report success will attend for a breath test to confirm that they are no longer smoking. Participants who do not provide this information or do not pass the breath test will be counted as still smoking. The project will also include a qualitative sub-study to find out what would help NHS staff to refer smokers to this new intervention, and smokers to use it.
REC name
South West - Central Bristol Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/SW/0179
Date of REC Opinion
14 Dec 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion