New Investigational "Liquid
Cigarette" Smoke Cessation Product Achieves 71 Percent Quit Rate
September 30, 2008
Several months ago, 52 smokers embarked on an FDA-approved, 12-week clinical
study of a new smoke-cessation device called Smoke-Break. The results of the
study were released today with 71 percent of the study participants smoke-free
after 12 weeks.
Smoke-Break is a "liquid nicotine cigarette" that resembles an unlit
cigarette in size and shape. The clear tube contains a cherry-flavored gel along
with 1.5 milligrams of nicotine, about as much as in a light cigarette. Users
consume the liquid by lifting the tube to their mouths, and sipping through a
mouthpiece, much like they would draw on a cigarette.
Approved by the FDA for clinical study in 2007, the study sought to determine
whether Smoke-Break would help smokers stop smoking, while avoiding the side
effects seen in other smoke-cessation products. The answer is yes, and that's
promising news to study sponsor Dr. Carl E. Olson, Chairman of the Radiation
Oncology Department at Columbia St. Mary's in Milwaukee.
"There were no serious adverse events during the study," Dr. Olson
said, "and only a few minor events, such as sore throat or heartburn. The
real surprise for me was the rate of smoke cessation. It is unprecedented."
Smoke-Break inventor Brett J. Roth created Smoke-Break in 2004 to kick his own
two-pack-per-day habit. Roth hopes that Smoke-Break will soon be able to help
smokers nationwide, now that his invention has shattered the previous record for
an FDA clinical study, set by Chantix, which achieved a 44 percent quit rate
after 12 weeks. Chantix, however, has recently been scrutinized for a number of
potentially dangerous side effects.
"I'm happy with the results," stated Roth, "but I'm most excited
for the participants, many of whom have expressed gratitude at finally being
able to kick this deadly habit."
Roth and Dr. Olson were joined by Study Coordinator and nurse Deb Baumgarten,
and Principal Investigator Dr. Nicholas Geimer, another cancer specialist.
"I don't think we're doing our jobs as clinicians," Dr. Olson said,
"unless we try to prevent cancer in the first place."
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Centers for
Disease Control (CDC), more than 400,000 individuals in the U.S. die each year,
prematurely, as a result of smoking. Thousands more are negatively afflicted
with various respiratory and other smoke-related illnesses.
For more information about Smoke-Break, visit http://www.liquidcigarette.com.
Additional information can be found at http://www.ClinicalTrials.gov,
by searching "Smoke-Break."
Smoke-Break
Medical News Today: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com
Back to News