Weighty argument in favor of e-cigs

Electronic cigarettes that deliver nicotine could help prevent weight gain, a major concern amongst those hoping to quit smoking, according to a story on theguardian.com citing a new study.

This suggests that electronic cigarettes could be harnessed in the fight against obesity, as well as in the battle against smoking.

Weight gain is a major concern among smokers looking to quit. On average, individuals put on five kg in the first year they go without cigarettes.

Nicotine is known to suppress appetite and increase metabolic rate, among other effects.

While nicotine replacement therapies (NRT) can help to control weight gain and help smokers to quit, researchers have suggested that electronic cigarettes that deliver nicotine might be a better option.

“People can change their nicotine content; so to quit smoking they might start off on a higher strength e-liquid and then they can taper down really quite gradually in a much more sophisticated way than they can with NRT, which is probably good for weight maintenance and for weight loss,” said co-author Linda Bauld, professor of health policy at the University of Stirling and deputy director of the UK Centre for Tobacco and Alcohol Studies.

The huge range of e-liquids available, she said, could also help prevent snacking, particularly given the number of sweet and fruit flavours on offer.

The authors of the report noted that a drop in the prevalence of smoking was among the factors that had been linked to increasing rates of obesity, meaning new approaches to manage weight gain could prove valuable.

Published in the journal Nicotine and Tobacco Research by scientists from New Zealand and Stirling, the paper looked at a range of studies exploring the influence of nicotine on the body, as well as the relationships between aroma, taste and flavour and the feeling of fullness, to moot the potential for e-cigarettes in managing weight gain among smokers trying to quit the habit.

The Guardian story is at: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2016/oct/25/vaping-could-help-prevent-ex-smokers-piling-on-the-pounds-research-suggests