E-cigarettes for Cancer Patients Who Smoke

(CARE Trial)

This trial aims to assist cancer patients who smoke by testing whether switching from cigarettes to e-cigarettes (electronic cigarettes) offers a better option. It specifically targets those who refuse traditional smoking cessation programs. Participants will either try e-cigarettes or receive standard tobacco treatment referrals. This trial may suit individuals who have smoked recently, are over 21, speak English, and have not used e-cigarettes in the past 30 days. As an unphased trial, it provides a unique opportunity for participants to explore alternative smoking cessation methods tailored to their needs.

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you are using any smoking cessation medications or programs.

Research has shown that e-cigarettes are generally safer than regular cigarettes. Many studies indicate that vaping is less harmful because e-cigarettes do not contain tobacco, which causes cancer. Specifically, people who use e-cigarettes have a much lower cancer rate compared to those who smoke regular cigarettes—2.3% versus 16.8%.

However, e-cigarettes are not completely risk-free. Some research suggests that they can still expose users to chemicals linked to cancer and other health issues like heart and lung problems. Despite these concerns, e-cigarettes have helped more people quit smoking when used with standard counseling.

Unlike the standard smoking cessation treatments, which often involve nicotine replacement therapies or medications, e-cigarette switching offers a potentially less harmful alternative by mimicking the act of smoking without burning tobacco. Researchers are excited about e-cigarettes because they deliver nicotine in vapor form, reducing exposure to harmful chemicals found in cigarette smoke. Additionally, the transition to e-cigarettes might be more appealing for smokers who struggle with quitting entirely, as it maintains the hand-to-mouth action of smoking. This approach could represent a significant step forward in harm reduction for cancer patients who smoke, offering them a more feasible pathway to reduce smoking-related health risks.

Research has shown that switching from smoking to e-cigarettes can help people quit smoking. In this trial, participants in the Harm Reduction arm will receive an e-cigarette and attempt to switch completely from smoking to using the e-cigarette. One study found that using e-cigarettes along with regular quit-smoking support helped more people stop using tobacco. Many reports indicate that e-cigarettes are much less harmful than regular cigarettes because they don't contain tobacco, which can cause cancer. However, people who use both cigarettes and e-cigarettes might have a higher risk of lung cancer than those who only smoke cigarettes. Overall, e-cigarettes could be a safer choice for smokers, especially for those who find it hard to quit smoking completely.⁴⁵⁶⁷⁸