Future research directions for cessation interventions targeted toward exclusive e-cigarette users and dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes
| Population | Knowledge gaps | Future research directions |
|---|---|---|
| Exclusive e-cigarette users | Lack of good-quality and well-designed clinical trials evaluating different types of behavioural interventions for vaping cessation | Rigorously designed RCTs to evaluate the effectiveness of different behavioural therapies (i.e., 1-on-1 counselling, group therapy, smartphone app, web-based program) for vaping cessation with biochemical proof of abstinence |
| No published clinical trials evaluating effectiveness of NRT and non-NRT for vaping cessation | Rigorously designed RCTs to evaluate the effectiveness of NRT and non-NRT for vaping cessation with biochemical proof of abstinence | |
| Lack of clinical trials evaluating vaping cessation interventions for different population groups | RCTs should evaluate effectiveness of vaping cessation interventions for different population groups (i.e., youth v. adult, former smokers who switched to exclusive vaping, individuals with other tobacco use, other substance users) | |
| Lack of validated nicotine dependence tools targeted for e-cigarettes users | Validate the established nicotine dependence tools (i.e., HONC, FTND, m-FTQ, S2BI, CRAFFT, BSTAD) for assessing vaping dependence | |
| Lack of evidence examining whether former smokers who switched to vaping relapse following vaping cessation | Longitudinally assess duration of abstinence or relapse of smoking following vaping cessation interventions for former smokers who switched to exclusive vaping | |
| Dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes | No published clinical trials evaluating interventions targeted for complete abstinence among dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes | Rigorously designed RCTs to evaluate the effectiveness of stepwise cessation interventions — first smoking cessation followed by vaping cessation among dual users of cigarettes and e-cigarettes |
Note: BSTAD = Brief Screener for Tobacco, Alcohol, and other Drugs, CRAFFT = Car, Relax, Alone, Forget, Friends, Trouble, FTND = Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, HONC = Hooked on Nicotine Checklist, mFTQ = Modified Version of the Fagerström Tolerance Questionnaire, NRT = nicotine replacement therapy, RCT = randomized controlled trial, S2BI = Screening to Brief Intervention.