A comprehensive analysis of 4.5 million Korean adults has quantified the health impact of different smoking cessation strategies. The study, published in Nature Medicine, found that individuals who adopted e-cigarettes after quitting traditional smoking experienced elevated lung cancer incidence and mortality compared to those who achieved complete nicotine elimination.
This nationwide retrospective cohort analysis represents one of the most extensive population-based examinations of post-cessation e-cigarette use. The data clearly demonstrates that complete cessation—avoiding all nicotine products—produces the lowest cancer risk among all cessation pathways studied. For public health professionals and clinicians designing smoking cessation programs, these findings provide evidence-based support for prioritizing complete nicotine discontinuation over transition strategies involving electronic cigarettes.
Read the full article on GMJ Newsroom.
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