Precise, documented, and involving specialists, the magazine’s investigation only misses out on a clean sweep because of its infographics.
The magazine conducted a large survey on smoking cessation and covered the subject of electronic cigarettes in detail.
A welcome file
Published by the National Institute of Consumption, the magazine 60 Million Consumers has existed since December 1970, when its first issue was published. Describing itself as “intrinsically objective”it is particularly known for its numerous comparisons and other tests of products of all kinds, intended to guide French consumers so that they make the right choice when making their purchases. In its latest September issue, 60 Million Consumers proposes a survey called “To end cigarettes”Its objective: to take stock of the effectiveness of nicotine-based products offered to smokers to help them space out or completely give up cigarettes.
Vaping is popular
First pleasant surprise when reading this file, the magazine has, it seems, made contact with certain experts in smoking cessation. “It is often said that we smoke for the nicotine but die from the tar.”explains for example Françoise Gaudel, patient expert and tobacco specialist, but also founder of the self-support group Je ne fume plus #JNFP. “Carbon monoxide, bronchial irritants and tars are the main causes of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases and cancers.”specifies Olivier Smadja, tobacco specialist at Public Health France, while Marion Adler, tobacco specialist and doctor in charge of the addiction liaison and care team at the Antoine-Béclère hospital in Clamart (92), indicates her side “not opposing vaping when someone is interested in it”.
If the magazine recalls that in France, only patches, sprays, inhalers, tablets and lozenges “are considered an aid to quitting smoking and covered by health insurance upon prescription”this is not the case for other nicotine products, which “do not benefit from the same level of evidence and are not considered replacement treatments”. 60 Million Consumers recalls all the same that on the ground, tobaccologists “remain open to products even those not recommended by the High Authority of Health”The survey even highlights that in the United Kingdom, vaping is recognized and supported, and that the use of an electronic cigarette is “in any case less dangerous than smoked tobacco and even less dangerous than heated tobacco like IQOS”.
Marion Adler also insists on the subject of vaping and recalls that a study conducted by the famous Cochrane organization “showed that the effectiveness of vaping was superior to that of nicotine substitutes”. The specialist is nevertheless more cautious. Replacing smoking with vaping is all well and good, but “unless the risk of relapse is very high, it is better to stop vaping”To do this, the tobaccologist gives some advice, including starting by reducing the frequency of doses, for example by going out without your personal vaporizer. “Only then should we reduce the nicotine. However, people often do the opposite and therefore reinforce the addiction to the gesture.”.
Nicotine pouches, still too new
The topic of nicotine pouches is also briefly covered. 60 Million Consumers indicates to its readers that tobacco specialists currently have little perspective on these products and that “No one can say how much nicotine is absorbed or whether they are really effective.”. On this subject, Françoise Gaudel indicates that these products “are manufactured by cigarette manufacturers” and that is why they are distributed in tobacco shops. “But it’s never good to set foot there again.”she recalls.
Nicotine salts, sometimes a good solution
Regarding e-liquids containing nicotine salts, the magazine points out that their assimilation is faster than the nicotine contained in classic e-liquids. “Ex-smokers are more quickly relieved of their desire to smoke”explains Marion Adler, while specifying that they also have the advantage of being much less aggressive on the throat. But 60 million consumersHowever, it is still worth noting that there may be an interest in switching to e-liquids containing traditional nicotine if the vaper “has difficulty reducing the nicotine dose with those based on nicotine salts, ultimately too easy to vape”.
Flavors, controversial and yet effective
Clearly determined to cover all aspects of vaping, Adélaïde Robert, author of the investigation for 60 Million Consumersalso talks about flavors in e-liquids, and even puffs. While the journalist points out that their existence is threatened by regulation, Marion Adler admits that even disposable electronic cigarettes “have enabled some of our patients to quit smoking because they have a wide choice of flavors”. The magazine also clearly points out that when quitting smoking with an electronic cigarette, “The important thing is to find an e-liquid that allows you to move away from cigarettes, and therefore is pleasant”. And still advises to stick to products declared to the National Agency for the Environment and Health (ANSES), and to prefer e-liquids that have been controlled by an independent body. “like those displaying Afnor certification”.
An almost perfect investigation
While it is always pleasant to read a comprehensive report on vaping in a mainstream media outlet that does not specialize in the field of smoking cessation, we do regret one point in this investigation.
From its first page, 60 Million Consumers has produced an infographic that summarizes the effectiveness of all the nicotine substitutes discussed in its investigation. While tablets, chewing gum, inhalers, patches and sprays are given the mention “admitted” as for their effectiveness, and display a score of 3/3, that of e-liquids with nicotine salts is only “proven”corresponding to the score of 2/3, while that of e-liquids based on classic nicotine is declared “controversial”with a score of 1/3. However, there is no lack of evidence.
The complete 60 Million Consumers file can be found in issue 605 of September 2024.
