Fake aims to kill the urge to puff

The new E-Cigarette does extinguish Brooke Donovan's need for nicotine. Photo / Paul Estcourt

A device used overseas as a replacement for smoking has been trialled for use in New Zealand, to try to encourage more people to quit smoking.

The University of Auckland's clinical trials research unit asked 48 smokers - including me - to try a new product called the e-cigarette, made by Ruyan in Hong Kong.

Designed to mimic cigarettes, it is available in more than 40 countries, but not in New Zealand yet. It can be bought online for about $250.

It is often used overseas as a smoking replacement, but researchers here were investigating its possible use as a new form of nicotine replacement therapy, which Dr Hayden McRobbie, research fellow at the institute, strongly advocates.

He said he was not surprised by the latest figures suggesting the ban on smoking in workplaces had had little effect on the numbers of New Zealanders who smoke.

He said the smoking ban had changed the way people smoked - more people were cutting down and not smoking around friends and family - but only making cigarettes more expensive would see more people quit.

New Zealand has one of the highest rates of smoking in the world.

"A tax increase is definitely one of the best ways to prompt people to quit, especially young people, who are more sensitive to price increases because they don't have a lot of cash," Dr McRobbie said.

But he said he was encouraged by programmes such as Quitline and Aukati Kai Paipa, the smoking cessation service aimed at Maori women. Quitline received 77,135 calls between July 2006 and June 2007, and Aukati Kai Paipa aims to help 5000 Maori women and their whanau this year.

Smoking rates among Maori are significantly higher than the rest of the population, at 45.8 per cent.

In Pacific Island communities the rate is 36.2 per cent.

Dr McRobbie said he was always looking for new and cheaper ways to help people stop smoking.

"The best way to do it is a combination of medicine and support."

The e-cigarette could be available in New Zealand this year if it is approved by health authorities.

THE E-CIGGIE
The e-cigarette contains a nicotine cartridge in four strengths - 16mg, 11mg, 6mg and 0mg, compared with the 13mg in the average manufactured cigarette. One cartridge lasts for 300 to 350 puffs, or two days. It also has a battery that enables it to emit a mist of propylene glycol, essentially fake, fast-dissipating smoke, and light up at the end when puffed on.