Minority ethnic groups may be missing out on a way to reduce smoking. A housing survey in England has found that it is less common for Asian, Arab and other ethnic smokers to use e-cigarettes to try to reduce their cigarette consumption or when it is not allowed. their smoking than those of White ethnicity.
This relative misuse of e-cigarettes is important because minority ethnic groups in England appear to be at greater risk for smoking-related diseases. NICE guidance states that reducing the frequency of smoking may reduce these health inequalities more than any other measure.
The report, published today in the scientific journal Addiction, drawing on data from the UCL Smoking Device Survey (monthly home survey) from April 2013 to September 2019. Participants who were regular smokers described their ethnicity and the use of e-cigarettes to try to help cut down on their smoking or when they are not allowed to smoke (temporary abstinence).
Overall, 18.0% (n = 4,409) of conventional smokers surveyed reported using e-cigarettes or nicotine substitutes for cutting down and temporary abstinence. In this group, the numbers of e-cigarette use were 26% lower among Asian ethnic smokers and 49% lower among those of Arab / other ethnicity compared to those of White ethnicity.
Lead author Dr Emma Beard (UCL Behavioral and Health Science) said, “E-cigarettes are much less harmful than traditional cigarettes and can stop smokers smoking. The best way to e- Use of Cigarettes to Quit Smoking Completely But there is some evidence that the use of e-cigarettes to cut down on cigarette smoking can reduce smoking-related harm.Our study suggests that sections of the population who are at greater risk for smoking-related harm appear to be less likely to use e-cigarettes. ”
On a more optimistic note, the study found that the numbers of nicotine replacement therapy use were 42% higher among people of mixed and multiple ethnicity compared to those of white ethnicity.
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For editors:
Peer reviewed: there is
Type of inspection: Study
Case study: People
Funding: Charity / NGO and government / research advice
This paper is free to download for one month from Wiley Online Library: https: /
To speak to lead author Dr Emma Beard: contact the UCL (University College London) press office by email ([email protected]) or telephone (+44 (0) 7985208992).
Full quote for article: Beard E, Brown J, Jackson SE, Tattan-Birch H, and Shahab L (2021) Differences between ethnic groups in self-reported use of e-cigarettes and nicotine substitution for cutting down and temporary abstinence: a cross-sectional population – stage study in England. Addiction 116: doi: 10.1111 / add.15431
Funding: The Smoking Apparatus Survey is currently largely funded by Cancer Research UK (C1417 / A14135; C36048 / A11654; C44576 / A19501) and was previously funded by Pfizer, GSK and the Department of Health.
Addiction the monthly international scientific journal publishes peer-reviewed research reports on alcohol, substances, tobacco, and gambling as well as other edits and discussion pieces. Owned by the Society for the Study of Slavery, it has been published continuously since 1884.
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