Samsung Medical Center smoking cessation studies

Researchers from Samsung Medical Center and Sungkyunkwan University have published findings regarding the impact of smoking habits on cancer risks and mortality.

An initial large-scale study involving 46,834 cancer patients found that complete smoking cessation resulted in an 8% lower overall mortality risk and a 36% lower risk of major cardiovascular events compared to continuous combustible cigarette use. The study noted that while switching to e-cigarettes showed a 16% lower mortality risk, researchers cautioned that e-cigarettes are not a substitute for complete cessation, particularly as many users remain dual users.

A subsequent study focusing on patients with chronic hepatitis B indicated that both smoking cessation and transitioning to e-cigarettes were associated with an approximately 22% lower risk of hepatocellular carcinoma compared to continuous conventional smokers. For participants who maintained these habits for at least three years, the risk reduction reached 36% for the cessation group and 27% for the e-cigarette group. Researchers emphasized that while these findings suggest potential harm reduction, the observational nature of the studies does not prove causality.