Electronic cigarette use among adult smokers: longitudinal associations with smoking and trait impulsivity

Objective
The present exploratory study uses a longitudinal design to assess the associations between electronic cigarette (e-cigarette) use and cigarette smoking, motivation to quit and trait impulsivity among adult smokers.

Methods
One hundred and sixteen cigarette smokers only and ninety-one dual users (smoke cigarettes and use e-cigarettes) were recruited (mean age [standard deviation] = 25.11[6.94], male = 48.3%). Participants were recruited online and 121 were followed-up at 3 months. Participants completed online questionnaires regarding socio-demographics, smoking/e-cigarette use characteristics and trait impulsivity at baseline, and they self-reported their smoking status at 3-month follow-up.

Results
The use of e-cigarettes in cigarette smokers was associated with a higher rate of stopping cigarette smoking at follow-up, relative to smokers who did not use e-cigarettes (χ2[1] = 11.03, p < 0.01). Multivariate logistic regressions controlling for age and gender showed a significant association between motivation to quit and stopping cigarette smoking at follow-up (odds ratio = 2.11, 99% Confidence Interval = 1.12–3.97, p < 0.01). There was no link between trait impulsivity and stopping cigarette smoking.

Conclusions
The data suggest that e-cigarettes may increase rates of quitting cigarette smoking.