ECLAT marks its 10th anniversary: a decade dedicated to tobacco harm reduction

The Center of Excellence for Tobacco Harm Reduction (CoEHAR) is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ECLAT study, which marks a significant shift in the field of harm reduction science according to the organization.

The project began in 2011 when a research team led by Riccardo Polosa from the University of Catania in Italy decided to evaluate the effects of using e-cigarettes in a sample of smokers who wanted to quit.

After two years of recruitment and follow-up, the first randomized controlled trial on e-cigarettes was published. The ECLAT study provided evidence for the first time that e-cigarettes could help people quit smoking, even among those who did not wish to quit.

The ECLAT study subsequently became an inspiration for researchers worldwide. Even with the technological limitations of e-cigarette products at the time, the study showed that by week 52, 8.7% of smokers using e-cigarettes had quit, while 10.3% had reduced their consumption of traditional cigarettes by at least 50%. Additionally, 73.1% of those who quit were no longer using e-cigarettes by the end of the study.

Although these data may seem modest today, the ECLAT study paved the way for research that now attracts thousands of researchers globally. The latest Cochrane review, which also included the ECLAT study, confirmed what was revealed in Catania a decade ago: e-cigarettes are an effective tool against smoking.

Reflecting on the ECLAT study, Polosa calls for continued innovation and evaluation. "If we want to completely erase the history of smoking, we must continue research, encourage ongoing innovation, and evaluate studies," he stated in a statement. "Harm reduction can and has saved millions of lives. This path is correct and must be adhered to."